BRANFORD, Conn., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 454 Life Sciences Corporation, a majority-owned subsidiary of CuraGen Corporation , today announced the Company’s Genome Sequencer 20 System, an instrument system that enables whole genome sequencing to be performed in a fraction of the previous time and cost, has received a 2005 Popular Science Best of What’s New Award in the Personal Health category. The awards recognize breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap forward in categories ranging from Auto Tech and Home Entertainment to Photography and Recreation.
“‘Best of What’s New’ is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year’s worth of work evaluating thousands of products,” says Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science. “These awards honor innovations that not only influence the way we live today, but that change the way we think about the future.”
Each year, the editors of Popular Science review thousands of products in search of the top 100 tech innovations of the year. The winners of “Best of What’s New” are awarded inclusion in the much-anticipated December issue of Popular Science, the most widely read issue of the year since the debut of “Best of What’s New” in 1987.
“454 Life Sciences is honored to have received the ‘Best of What’s New’ award from Popular Science for the Genome Sequencer 20 System. Our goal at 454 Life Sciences is to make genome sequencing a routine occurrence -- a goal that we believe will further speed the course toward personalized medicine,” stated Christopher K. McLeod, President and Chief Executive Officer of 454 Life Sciences. “454 Life Sciences’ technology is the first new commercial method for high-throughput sequencing in over 25 years, representing a major step forward from the previous Nobel Prize-winning sequencing method developed by Walter Gilbert and Frederick Sanger.”
“Best of What’s New” Awards are presented to 100 new products and technologies in 12 categories including: Auto Tech, Aviation & Space, Cars, Computing, Engineering, Gadgets, General Innovation, Home Entertainment, Home Tech, Personal Health, Photography and Recreation.
The award winners can be found in the December edition of Popular Science.
About 454 Life Sciences
454 Life Sciences, a 66% majority-owned subsidiary of CuraGen Corporation , is commercializing novel instrumentation and measurement services for rapidly and comprehensively conducting high-throughput nucleotide sequencing, with specific application to sequencing of whole genomes and ultra-deep sequencing of target genes. 454 Life Sciences’ Genome Sequencer 20 System enables one individual to prepare and sequence an entire genome after performing a single sample preparation, irrespective of the size of the genome being studied. The hallmark of 454 Life Sciences’ technology is the PicoTiterPlate(TM), which allows a single instrument using patented light emitting sequencing chemistries to produce over 20 million nucleotide bases per five-hour run, totaling more than 100 times the capacity of instruments using the current macro-scale technology.
454 Life Sciences offers sequencing services directly to customers on a fee for service basis at their state-of-the-art Measurement Services Center. The Genome Sequencer 20 System and reagents are available exclusively from Roche Applied Sciences. For additional information on 454 Life Sciences, please visit http://www.454.com. For additional information on the Genome Sequencer 20 System and reagents, please visit http://www.roche-applied-science.com.
About Popular Science
Founded in 1872, Popular Science is the world’s largest science and technology magazine, with a circulation of 1.45 million and 6.5 million monthly readers. Each month, Popular Science reports on the intersection of science and everyday life, with an eye toward what’s new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by Time4 Media, a subsidiary of Time, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements include statements concerning 454 Life Sciences’ goal to make genome sequencing a routine occurrence and that this will further speed the course toward personalized medicine. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen caution investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the early stage of development of 454 Life Sciences’ products and technologies; customer acceptance of 454 Life Sciences’ products and technologies; 454 Life Sciences’ ability to scale-up production of its products and technologies; disputes between 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen; the success of competing products and technologies; technological uncertainty and product development risks; uncertainties of clinical trials, government regulation and healthcare reform; uncertainty of additional funding with respect to both CuraGen and 454 Life Sciences; 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s history of incurring losses and the uncertainty of achieving profitability; CuraGen’s stage of development as a genomics-based pharmaceutical company; patent infringement claims against 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s products, processes and technologies; the ability to protect 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s patents and proprietary rights; uncertainties relating to commercialization rights; product liability exposure; and competition. Please refer to CuraGen’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005 for a complete description of these risks. 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.
Contacts: 454 Life Sciences Noonan Russo Peter Dacey Robert Stanislaro Vice President, Finance Account Supervisor info@454.comrobert.stanislaro@eurorscg.com (877) 890-GNOM (212) 845-4268
454 Life Sciences Corporation; CuraGen Corporation
CONTACT: Peter Dacey, Vice President, Finance of 454 Life Sciences,1-877-890-GNOM, info@454.com; or Robert Stanislaro, Account Supervisor ofNoonan Russo for 454 Life Sciences Corporation, +1-212-845-4268,robert.stanislaro@eurorscg.com
