Spartan Bioscience Expands to Meet DNA Market Opportunity

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 22, 2009) - Spartan Bioscience Inc, a Canadian molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets DNA analyzers for on-demand applications, today announced management changes and the addition of several key staff. These additions to the Spartan team set the stage for accelerated growth in 2009 and beyond.

"Over the past 3 years Spartan's R&D team has successfully developed desktop DNA analyzers that are fast, affordable, and easy to use. To capitalize on our innovations, we are now shifting our focus from R&D to sales and marketing," said Dr. Paul Lem, CEO and Founder, Spartan Bioscience. "As part of this shift, I am very pleased to announce the promotion of Mark D. Kershey to the role of President. As one of Spartan's early founders, Mark successfully managed our financing, corporate structure, and market development activities. In his new role, Mark will expand our sales and marketing, and business development initiatives."

"I am excited with the way our commercialization team has come together," said Mark Kershey, President, Spartan Bioscience. "Paul Markell, our Chief Operating Officer, has more than 20 years of experience in managing supply chains and growing businesses. His operations expertise will be invaluable as sales ramp up around the world. As well, we expect great things from the newest additions to Spartan's executive team: Jay Rau, our Director of Business Development, and Susie Kagel, our Director of US Sales Operations.

"The recent closing of our latest investment round was a tremendous achievement. We successfully raised millions of dollars during the worst financial crisis of our lifetime. It validates Spartan's mission of bringing the power of DNA testing to the mainstream market," added Mr. Kershey.

Additions to the Spartan Bioscience team include:

Ms. Susie Kagel - Director, US Sales Operations. Located in Belton, Texas, Susie comes to Spartan with 15 years of sales and management experience in the Molecular Diagnostics (MDx) market. Susie is expanding Spartan's presence in the MDx military and research markets in the United States.

Mr. Jay Rau - Director, Business Development. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jay has 25 years of business development experience in the life science market. With his extensive network of contacts, Jay is helping Spartan develop strategic partnerships with key industry players around the world.

Mr. Sanjay Belkhode - Director, Channel Development. For the past 3 years, Sanjay was Director of Sales Operations at Spartan. In his new role, Sanjay is responsible for building out the company's global network of resellers and distributors.

Ms. Shelley Mullins - Public Relations & Communications. Shelley has many years of experience in public relations and communications with startups and large companies. Her activities are aimed at raising Spartan's profile in the medical and life science industries.

About Spartan Bioscience

Founded in 2005, Spartan Bioscience Inc. is a privately-held molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets PCR-based DNA analyzers for on-demand applications. The company is focusing on applications where rapid and convenient DNA testing is particularly important, such as low-throughput research experiments and non-batched testing for infectious diseases. For more information, please visit the website at www.spartanbio.com. The global release of the commercial version of the Spartan DX-12 DNA analyzer is scheduled for the end of May, 2009 and will be the focus of Spartan's attendance at the BIO International conference in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.