TOLEDO, OH--(MARKET WIRE)--May 25, 2006 -- Gene Express, Inc. today announced that it has expanded its strategic relationship with VWR International, Inc. to resell and distribute the Gene Express SEM Center(TM) (Standardized Expression Measurement) services to biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as clinical research organizations (CROs) in 15 European countries.
The Gene Express SEM Center(TM) is a high throughput gene expression assay process using automated equipment and proprietary software that ensures that all assays are setup, performed and analyzed with minimal human intervention. The SEM Center uses the proprietary Gene Express StaRT-PCR(TM) (Standardized Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction) process to provide quantitative, reproducible, sensitive, standardized gene expression measurement.
The expansion of the three-year agreement with VWR, which also includes North America, extends the strong gene expression component of the VWR Bioscience service portfolio to a new and important market. The European countries covered by the agreement include: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Great Britain and Ireland.
“We are very pleased to expand our relationship with VWR,” stated Gerald Vardzel, CEO of Gene Express. “Our partnership in North America is off to a strong start, and we believe the strength and reach of the VWR sales organization in Europe, which includes 22 representatives who are specially trained in bio-services sales, will be equally beneficial.”
“Gene Express provides a class leading service that evaluates and quantifies gene expression profiles under FDA guidance characteristics. We are delighted to provide Gene Express services in Europe to our BioPharma clients after a great start in North America,” noted Zishan Haroon M.D., Ph.D., General Manager and Senior Vice President of VWR Bioscience.
As part of the agreement, Gene Express presented at the first annual VWR BioSciences European Sales Meeting in Salzburg, Austria, where the team described its StaRT-PCR(TM) technology and related SEM Center(TM) services, the differentiating value of StaRT-PCR(TM) data and the target market.
About VWR International
VWR International, Inc. is a leader in the global research laboratory industry with worldwide sales of over US $3.0 billion. VWR’s business is highly diversified across a spectrum of products and services, customer groups and geography. The company offers more than 1,000,000 products and services, from more than 5,000 manufacturers, to over 250,000 customers throughout the world. VWR’s primary customers work in the pharmaceutical, life science, chemical, technology, food processing and consumer product industries. Other important customers include universities and research institutes; governmental agencies; environmental testing organizations; and primary and secondary schools. VWR International affiliates operate in 20 countries and employ approximately 6,000 people. The company’s mission is to deliver excellence in the distribution of scientific supplies. The VWR International Group is headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania. For more information about VWR visit the VWR web site at www.vwr.com.
About Gene Express, Inc.
Gene Express, Inc. accelerates and enables drug development by providing standardized genomic data. The Company’s proprietary and patented StaRT-PCR(TM) (Standardized Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction) platform technology for measuring gene expression levels in cells, tissue and blood is being used by numerous pharmaceutical concerns, as well as leading academic centers. The Company’s $3 billion focus market for licensing and contract services includes the drug development, academic and molecular diagnostics segments. Additional information is available on the Company’s website at www.geneexpressinc.com.
Any forecasts, plans, projections and other information contained in this press release describing events or results that may occur in the future are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the United States Private Securities litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and important factors that are beyond the control of the Company that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the results presently anticipated or projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to this cautionary statement. All forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release and are based on current expectations. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Contact: Contacts: Kathy Price The Global Consulting Group Tel: 646-284-9430 E: Email Contact
Emmanuelle Ferrer The Global Consulting Group Tel: 646-284-9421 E: Email Contact
Source: Gene Express, Inc.
