PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orchid Cellmark Inc. , a leading worldwide provider of identity DNA testing services, today announced that its U.K. operation, Orchid Cellmark Ltd., has been awarded new DNA contracts with the Kent and Sussex Police forces and with the City of London Police force. These contract awards follow the company’s move to offer its forensic services directly to U.K. police forces. The award by the Kent and Sussex Police forces is an exclusive contract to provide DNA testing for their PACE and Crime Scene Stain profiling services, and the award by the City of London Police is to provide them with DNA testing services for PACE mouth swab samples. The contracts were awarded following competitive bidding processes and together are estimated to be worth in excess of $3.5 million dollars per year. The Kent and Sussex Police contract has a three- year term with options to extend for a further two years. The City of London Police contract is for a term of five years.
Thomas Bologna, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orchid Cellmark Inc., commented, “We believe our DNA forensic operations in the U.K. are second to none in providing innovation, quality and rapid testing turnaround time, and we are very pleased that these three important police forces have awarded contracts to Orchid Cellmark. Equally important, we believe that obtaining this business suggests that our plan to provide forensic services directly to U.K. police forces is proceeding well.”
Similar to the U.S. forensic operations of Orchid Cellmark Inc., the U.K. unit is a pioneer in providing forensic DNA testing services and is among the largest providers of private DNA testing services in its markets. With 200 specialist staff in Abingdon, Oxfordshire and some of the most advanced DNA laboratories in the world, the U.K. operation of Orchid Cellmark provides British customers with a full range of forensic DNA services. From the routine testing of DNA samples for submission to the National DNA Database(R) to the collection and analysis of evidence for the investigation of the most serious crimes, Orchid Cellmark has built a reputation for the quality and speed of its work and its ability to produce results from particularly small and compromised samples. Orchid Cellmark currently provides most of its forensic DNA services in the U.K. through a subcontract relationship with Forensic Alliance Ltd. This relationship is in the process of being terminated and as a result, the company is now also providing its services directly to U.K. police forces.
Further terms of the contract awards were not disclosed. U.K. Forensic Services Terms PACE samples
PACE samples are mouth swabs taken under the U.K. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 from suspects who have been arrested for a “recordable”
offense. DNA profiles generated from these samples are added to the U.K. National DNA Database.
Crime Scene Stain service
The Crime Scene Stain service provided to Kent and Sussex police forces involves the DNA analysis of items recovered from ‘high volume’ crimes such as burglary and car theft. There are usually no suspects in these cases and any resulting profiles are submitted to the U.K. National DNA Database for intelligence purposes. The shorter the time interval between the offense date and provision of intelligence from the U.K. National DNA Database, the greater the chance of police recovering property belonging to the complainant for offenses such as burglary.
Cellmark Forensic Services(TM) is a registered name of Orchid Cellmark Ltd., part of Orchid Cellmark Inc.
The National DNA Database(R) is a registered trademark of the U.K. Home Office
More information on Orchid Cellmark Ltd. can be found at www.orchidcellmark.co.uk.
About Orchid Cellmark
Orchid Cellmark Inc. is a leading international provider of DNA testing services for human identity testing and agricultural applications. In the human identity area, the company provides DNA testing services for forensic investigation, paternity testing and family relationship analysis and security applications. In the agriculture field, Orchid Cellmark provides DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark’s strong market positions in these segments reflect the company’s accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise and the world-renowned Cellmark brand that has been associated with exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at www.orchid.com.
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward- looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of Orchid Cellmark’s products and services, dependence on government funding and collaborations, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent protection, litigation, the timing of release of federal funds, the timing and amount of contracts put up for bid, and Orchid Cellmark’s ability to timely and successfully initiate operational efficiencies, lower overhead and other remedial measures. These risks and other additional factors affecting these statements and Orchid Cellmark’s business are discussed under the headings “Risks Related to Our Business” and “Risks Associated with Our Common Stock” in Orchid Cellmark’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid Cellmark with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid Cellmark expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Orchid Cellmark’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as may be required by law.
Contacts Investors: Media: Mary Bashore Barbara Lindheim Orchid Cellmark Inc. GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners (609) 750-2201 (212) 918-4650
Orchid Cellmark Inc.
CONTACT: Investors - Mary Bashore of Orchid Cellmark Inc.,+1-609-750-2201; or Media - Barbara Lindheim of GendeLLindheim BioComPartners, +1-212-918-4650
