Gyros AB licenses patented technology to Fluidigm Corporation.

Gyros AB licenses patented technology to Fluidigm Corporation. Gyros AB and Fluidigm Corporation today announced finalization of a licensing agreement of a patent family held by Gyros which covers certain microfluidic devices based on elastomeric layers. The Gyros patent applies in the US (US Patent 5,376,252) and in additional major biotech markets worldwide. Maris Hartmanis, President and CEO at Gyros AB explained, "We are very pleased that Fluidigm has agreed to become the initial licensee of one of Gyros' early patent filings. We expect that additional companies will also sign up for our licensing program." Gajus Worthington, President and CEO of Fluidigm added, "this is great technology, and Fluidigm is delighted to have access to it." Fluidigm has successfully commercialized the Topaz(TM) Crystallizer to automate the metering, mixing, and isolation of protein crystallization experiments. This system is enabled by a proprietary process known as Multi-layer Soft Lithography (MSL(TM)) to manufacture three-dimensional structures from multiple layers of soft elastomer. With this technology, Fluidigm intends to provide an increasing range of products for the biotechnology research market. Hartmanis continued, "Gyros and Fluidigm are at the forefront in the development of their respective microfluidic technologies. It will be a fascinating journey as we produce more application solutions and see microfluidic-based technologies become standard in the world of drug discovery." About Gyros AB Gyros miniaturizes and integrates laboratory applications, enabling scientists to generate more information from less sample and to improve lab performance. Using our proprietary technology platform, we increase productivity by streamlining the many steps of conventional applications into single, nanoliter scale procedures. Optimal environments are created for each application. A Gyrolab microlaboratory, in the form of a compact disk, can process hundreds of samples in parallel, under the control of Gyrolab Workstation. Our company will realize the full potential of the Gyros technology platform in the fields of drug discovery and diagnostics. Initial product offerings are focused towards the growing area of proteomics. Gyros has more than 90 employees working at its headquarters in Uppsala Science Park, Sweden and in sales offices in the USA and Europe. For further information, visit www.gyros.com or contact: Maris Hartmanis, President and CEO, Gyros AB Tel: +46 (0)18 566 330 Mobile: +46 (0)70 562 8617 Email: maris.hartmanis@gyros.com Per Sjöberg, Executive Vice President Commercial Operations, Gyros AB Tel: +46 (0)18 566 318 Mobile: +46 (0)70 544 4799 Email: per.sjoberg@gyros.com Sue Cresswell, Marketing Communications Tel: +46 (0)8 54472620 Mobile: +46 (0)70 551 9520 Email: sue.cresswell@gyros.com About Fluidigm Fluidigm - a pioneer in the field of microfluidics - is dedicated to delivering on the promise of microfluidics through the commercialization of complete systems that meet mission-critical objectives within life science research. Fluidigm's initial customer base is in the drug discovery and life sciences arena; initial products address the challenge of protein-structure determination. Based in South San Francisco, California, Fluidigm is privately held and backed by premier investors including Euclid SR Partners, Lehman Brothers Healthcare Fund, Piper Jaffray Ventures, Versant Ventures and the Singapore EDB. For further information, visit http://www.fluidigm.com or contact: Jaime Bartels, Public Relations Manager Tel: +1 (650) 266-6014 Email: jaime.bartels@fluidigm.com Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical may be forward-looking and include risks and uncertainties. Therefore, though based on Gyros' current expectations, it should be duly noted that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experiences to differ materially from what is herein expressed. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the management of growth and international operations (including effects of currency fluctuations), variability of operating results, unforeseen changes in the diagnostic and pharmaceutical markets, market competition, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies, fluctuations in product demand, difficulties to successfully develop, adapt, produce or commercialize products, the ability to identify and develop new products and to differentiate products from those of competitors, as well as various legal hazards. Gyros, Gyrolab and the Gyros logo are registered trademarks of Gyros AB. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/18/20030312BIT00330/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/18/20030312BIT00330/wkr0002.pdf