Invitrogen Corporation Adds Genetix ClonePixFL Technology to Process Development Services

NEW MILTON, England, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genetix Group plc and Invitrogen Corporation announced today an agreement which allows Invitrogen to utilize the Genetix ClonePixFL technology in process development services offered through PD-Direct(TM). The Genetix ClonePixFL is an instrument that automatically images, selects and picks mammalian cell colonies based upon a number of parameters such as size, roundness and proximity to neighbors or far more specific information such as quantitative protein secretion or specific protein production.

"The Genetix ClonePix technology greatly enhances our ability to rapidly screen clones for the highest producers," said Dr. Steve Feldman, PD-DirectTM Senior Scientist. "Genetix has developed an excellent tool and we are excited to make this technology available to our process development clients."

"The pairing of Invitrogen's cell line expertise with the high-throughput capability enabled by the Genetix ClonePixFL technology will lead to a step change in the way that cell biology is approached and the efficiency of cell line generation and engineering" said Genetix CSO Julian F. Burke PhD.

Invitrogen also announced that it will develop applications which integrate the ClonePixFL together with the RevolutionTM technology to further enhance the optimization of parental cell lines and production clones.

About Genetix

Genetix provides applications for cell biology, proteomic and genomic research. It supplies many leading academic institutions worldwide and major international pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies involved in the drug discovery process. These include GSK, AstraZeneca and Novartis.

About Invitrogen

Through PD-Direct(TM), Invitrogen enables clients to access novel technologies such as Genetix ClonePix, Simcell, and Revolution to solve critical issues for bioproduction. The integration of impactful technologies uniquely positions Invitrogen to customize parental cell lines, rapidly screen for high producing clones, and quickly identify optimal bioreactor conditions. PD-Direct(TM) brings over a decade of experience in process development and manufacturing for viral, cell culture, microbial, and cell therapy products. Invitrogen provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the human condition. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery including functional genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and conducts business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company globally employs approximately 4,800 professionals and had revenues of approximately $1.2 billion in 2005. For more information, visit www.invitrogen.com.

Through its R&D expertise and scientific resource, Genetix is committed to the continual development of innovative solutions to accelerate the rate of global scientific discovery. The Company made a significant contribution to the Human Genome Project by supplying high-throughput instruments to seven of the eight leading laboratories of the consortium. Currently Genetix' cell biology instrumentation is finding wide acceptance in the Biopharmaceutical industry.

The company employs 100 people globally and had revenues of approximately $20m in 2005.

Genetix is quoted on the London Stock Exchange and is based in New Milton, Hampshire, UK, with offices in the USA and Germany. More information about the Genetix ClonePix technologies can be found at www.genetix.com.

For media inquiries, contact: Genetix: Julian F Burke PhD +44(0)1425-624620 Mobile +44(0)7798-610016 Julian.Burke@genetix.com Invitrogen Corporation: Media - Greg Geissman +1(760)476-7032 gregory.geissman@invitrogen.com Agency: Carolyn Hawley, Atkins + Associates +1(858)527-3484 chawley@irpr.com

CONTACT: Genetix: Julian F Burke PhD, +44(0)1425-624620, Mobile+44(0)7798-610016, Julian.Burke@genetix.com; Invitrogen Corporation: Media- Greg Geissman, +1(760)476-7032, gregory.geissman@invitrogen.com; Agency:Carolyn Hawley, Atkins + Associates +1(858)527-3484, chawley@irpr.com