Leading Proteomics Company Transitions to Emerald Bio, Chooses Key Leadership to Address Growing Market Opportunities

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA--(Marketwire - February 13, 2012) -

A leading protein science solutions company today announced strategic changes including new leadership and a new company name. Emerald BioSystems, known for its protein purification instruments and esteemed Wizard line of protein crystallography applications, will now be known as Emerald Bio. The new management changes include the appointment of CEO, George Abe, and the promotion of Dr. Peter Nollert to Chief Technologist. These changes are part of the strategy to address the fact that protein scientists are facing more difficult proteomics targets in larger numbers, problems Emerald Bio has already solved while enabling structural genomics and drug discovery initiatives.

“Our new company name, as well as our personnel changes, reflect Emerald’s strengthening position in the protein science industry and our renewed dedication to meeting our customers’ growing demands,” said Johan Pontin, Chairman of the Board of Beryllium, LLC, which owns Emerald Bio and its sister company, Emerald BioStructures.

“These changes will help Emerald Bio better address the growing demand for high performance and high quality protein science solutions,” said George Abe, CEO of Emerald Bio and veteran in the commercialization of biotechnology. “Emerald Bio’s protein technology expertise provides high quality reagents, instruments, and consumables -- products that are making key contributions to the growing field of proteomics.”

Peter Nollert, Emerald Bio’s Chief Technologist and renowned membrane protein scientist commented, “Our strategic vision is to create technology solutions that respond to trends in the growing proteomics field. Emerald Bio’s historical leadership in protein crystallography puts us in a strong position to serve all scientists who work in protein science.”

George Abe is known for leading companies, and building teams, focused on applying innovation to address critical unmet needs in life sciences. He was most recently CEO of Cambridge Research and Instrumentation (CRi), a provider of multiplexed biomarker imaging solutions. CRi was acquired by Caliper Life Sciences (now Perkin Elmer), where he held the position of Senior Vice President, Tissue Imaging. He has also held senior positions at several high technology organizations, including technology pioneer, BBN. He has also served on the board of directors of several public and private medical device and technology companies. George earned a B.S. degree from Trinity College, a M.S. degree from the University of Connecticut, and is a graduate of the Greater Boston Executive Program at the Sloan School of Management, MIT.

Peter Nollert is a recognized expert in structural and membrane protein science. He earned a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Tuebingen, and Post-doctorate fellowships at University of Basel, Stanford, and UCSF. Peter holds five U.S. patents, has published more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and obtained several NIH-funded grants for membrane protein crystallization and imaging technology development.

Company Information:
Emerald Bio is a leading provider of protein science solutions. We develop and supply sophisticated laboratory automation systems, reagent kits, stock solutions, proteins, and accessories for protein researchers. An innovation leader, the team at Emerald Bio continues to create award-winning research tools that accelerate discovery and decision-making in protein labs worldwide. Our instrument solutions automate protein purification, liquid handling, and protein crystallization. Our Wizard Line of reagents and our stock solutions are available individually, in convenient screens, and as custom products. As the demands of protein research continue to grow, we also provide high purity proteins. For more information, please visit www.emeraldbiosystems.com or call 1-888-780-8588.

Corporate Information:
The Emerald companies (Emerald Bio and Emerald BioStructures) are wholly owned by Beryllium LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, and are financed by a group of strong investors, including: Arctaris, Eastern Growth Captial, Gemini Investors, and Kendall Square Partners.