MWG and Operon Biotechnologies, Inc. Are Joining Forces

EBERSBERG, Germany and HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Operon Biotechnologies, Eurofins MWG and Eurofins Medigenomix - all part of the Eurofins Genomics network - announced today that they have agreed to work together in order to create a new worldwide leader in the competitive custom oligonucleotide market. With about $US 50M in revenue and state of the art high-throughput production facilities in all major markets (North America, Europe and Asia) the new network of companies intends to offer the market an unrivalled level of performance and efficiency in the custom DNA service area.

"Over the past 10 years overcapacity in the market has put a lot of pressure on all custom oligonucleotide synthesis service suppliers. Prices have decreased to a level where very few companies are able to keep up with the level of investment and innovation needed to meet the market demand for lower cost and higher quality of products and services. By joining the expertise, the resources and the experience of two major players in the field, we are convinced that we can take the next quantum leap which our customers expect from us," says Patrick Weiss, Managing Director of Operon Biotechnologies, Inc. and future CEO of Eurofins Genomics.

"Enabling Operon and Eurofins Genomics subsidiaries Eurofins MWG and Eurofins Medigenomix to work together strengthens our position in the custom oligonucleotides business and creates new opportunities for further development of additional services in the genomic services field. This will give the market, and in particular Eurofins customers in Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Food and Environment industries access to improved DNA services and innovative DNA-based testing," says Bruno Poddevin, Head of the Eurofins Genomics Services Cluster.

For further information please visit our websites www.mwgdna.com www.operon.com

CONTACT: Dr. Jutta Huber of MWG-Biotech AG, +08092-8289-930,
jhuber@mwgdna.com; or Patrick Weiss of Operon Biotechnologies, Inc.,
+1-256-704-8151, angela.hardin@operon.com

Web site: http://www.operon.com/
http://www.mwgdna.com/