WaferGen Biosystems Announces Data Presentations From Newly Launched High-Throughput SmartChip Human microRNA Panel V2 at Scientific Conferences, Including American Association for Cancer Research

FREMONT, Calif., March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: WGBS), a leading developer of state-of-the-art genomic analysis systems, today announced data presentations from its recently announced industry-leading high-throughput SmartChip Human microRNA Panel V2 at three key scientific conferences.

• Researchers in the Oncology Division at Stanford University School of Medicine will present data obtained using the SmartChip Human microRNA Panel V2 in a panel of drug-resistant human breast cancer cell lines (Late-Breaking Abstract #351) at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, April 2-6, 2011, Orlando, FL;
• WaferGen’s David Ginzinger, Ph.D., VP Genomics Research and Applications, is presenting “Screening 1200 miRNAs with a Single Real-Time PCR Run with the SmartChip System” at the 7th Annual CHI microRNA in Human Disease and Development, March 28-30, Cambridge, MA; and
• WaferGen is showing data on microRNA gene expression profiling using the SmartChip System at the 5th International qPCR Symposium and Industrial Exhibition and Applications Workshop, March 28, 2011 to April 1, 2011, Freising-Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Physiology-Weihenstephan, Germany.
• The company will be demonstrating the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System at all three conferences.

“These presentations help to corroborate that the SmartChip Human microRNA Panel V2 offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date survey panel on the market,” said Alnoor Shivji, chairman and CEO, WaferGen. “Our SmartChip System continues to gain traction and market share with the world’s leading genomics researchers.”

The SmartChip Human microRNA Panel V2 is a component of the company’s platform technology, the SmartChip System, which specifically analyzes microRNAs (Ribonucleic Acid). MicroRNAs affect gene regulation and their expression is associated with a number of diseases. This more comprehensive panel specifically enables profiling of 1200 human microRNAs on a single chip, not possible on other real-time PCR systems. It enables discovery, validation and screening of biomarkers in a flexible, high-throughput, highly cost-effective manner.

Cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment are important potential clinical applications of microRNA profiling. MicroRNAs are small non-protein-coding single-stranded RNA molecules of 20-24 nucleotides in length that function as negative regulators of gene expression by targeting specific messenger RNAs. This either inhibits translation or promotes messenger RNA degradation.

About WaferGen and the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. is a leader in the development, manufacture and sale of state-of-the-art systems for genomic analysis for the life science and pharmaceutical industries. The company currently offers the breakthrough SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, the next-generation Real-Time PCR system for discovery and validation of biomarkers, or gene expression patterns, on a single platform. WaferGen believes that the SmartChip System is ideal for researchers seeking to confirm discoveries made with the growing use of next-generation sequencing. In addition, the high throughput capabilities of the SmartChip System enable researchers to extend their research across large panels of genes, and hundreds of samples, at a very reasonable cost.

Combined with next-generation chemistry and optimized assays being developed by WaferGen under the guidance of David Gelfand, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and one of the pioneers of PCR, the SmartChip System is designed to provide accurate, highly sensitive and high-throughput gene expression profiling capabilities to researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies.

In addition, the company offers an innovative fee-based service for gene-expression profiling using the SmartChip System. For additional information, please see http://www.wafergen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. Such statements include statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the Version 2 SmartChip microRNA panel, statements relating to the expanded market potential of the SmartChip System as a result of the Version 2 SmartChip Human microRNA Panel, statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip service for gene-expression research, statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip technology to other applications, statements relating to the expected throughput levels of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, and other statements relating to future events are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include the risks that: (i) the company may be unsuccessful in commercially developing its products or in achieving market acceptance of new and relatively unproven technologies; (ii) the company will need to raise additional capital to meet its business requirements in the future and the company may not be able to do so on reasonable terms or at all; (iii) the company’s proprietary intellectual property rights may not adequately protect its products and technologies; and (iv) the company expects intense competition in its target markets, including from companies that have much greater resources than the company, and there can be no assurance that the company will be able to compete effectively. More detailed information about the company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the most recent Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read this document free of charge on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE WaferGen Biosystems, Inc.