Pyrosequencing AB announces new sample preparation method to enhance company's snp and sequence analysis solutions

PYROSEQUENCING AB ANNOUNCES NEW SAMPLE PREPARATION METHOD TO ENHANCE COMPANY'S SNP AND SEQUENCE ANALYSIS SOLUTIONS [REMOVED GRAPHICS] Uppsala, Sweden, June 1, 2001-Pyrosequencing AB (Stockholm: PYRO A) announced today a new sample preparation method for their SNP analysis and, recently introduced, Sequence Analysis solutions. The new process requires little or no optimization and is easily automated, a major benefit for customers wishing to increase sample throughput. The method is compatible with the Company's well-established PSQtm96 System and its customized high- throughput SNP analysis solutions (PTPtm), both of which are based on proprietary Pyrosequencingtm technology. "This enhancement is the result of valuable feedback we received from the many Pyrosequencing customers worldwide using more than 80 PSQ 96 Systems," said Mårten Winge, Vice President, Worldwide Marketing, Sales and Support. "Researchers can use the same sample preparation method for both Sequence Analysis and SNP analysis on a PSQ 96 System." The sample preparation method converts crude biotinylated PCR products into pure single-stranded DNA templates, using streptavidin-coated Sepharosetm based beads as the solid-phase carrier of the DNA. Using manual preparation, up to 96 samples can be prepared in a single batch. To increase throughput, the process is easily automated onto a Genesis Workstation, using equipment and software modified and optimized in collaboration with Tecan AG, Switzerland to prepare more than 200 samples per hour. Customized high- throughput SNP analysis solutions (PTPtm) incorporate this new automated sample preparation with analysis by Pyrosequencing to process up to 100 000 SNPs in 24 hours. "Until now we have used magnetic beads as the solid phase support, but the Sepharose beads not only enable us to read longer sequences in our Sequence Analysis application, but also give an added bonus of sharper peaks in the pyrogram and potentially improved assay sensitivity," added Björn Ekström, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. About Pyrosequencing AB Pyrosequencing AB develops, manufactures and sells complete solutions for applied genetic analysis based on its proprietary Pyrosequencingtm technology, a simple-to-use DNA sequencing technique. In the post-genome era, Pyrosequencing's technology has established the Company as one of the leading suppliers of solutions for accurate, consistent DNA analysis in research institutions and pharmaceutical, genomics and agbiotech companies. For the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) the PSQtm96 System with SNP Software and SNP Reagent Kits is used by customers such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Karolinska Institute, DuPont Agriculture, and the National Cancer Center (NCC) in Japan. The Company's Sequence Analysis Software and Reagent Kits together with the PSQ 96 System are used for the analysis of gene- specific DNA sequences for applications such as bacterial and viral typing where speed and ease of use are essential. The Company is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden with North American operations located in Westborough, Massachusetts. Pyrosequencing AB also has sales offices and distribution partners in Europe, Japan and the Middle East. Pyrosequencing AB is listed on the OM Stockholm Exchange. www.pyrosequencing.com Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Pyrosequencing's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Pyrosequencing notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward- looking statements. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations), variability of operating results, the commercial development of the DNA sequencing and genomics market, nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics market, and genetic vaccination and gene therapy markets, competition, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies, fluctuations in demand for Pyrosequencing's products (including seasonal fluctuations), difficulties in successfully adapting the Company's products to integrated solutions and producing such products, and the Company's ability to identify and develop new products and to differentiate its products from competitors PYROSEQUENCING AB CONTACT INFORMATION: President and CEO VP Worldwide Marketing, Sales, and Support Erik Walldén Mårten Winge E-MAIL: E-MAIL: erik.wallden@pyrosequencing.co marten.winge@pyrosequencing.com m Phone: +46 18 565902 or 070 Phone: +46 18 565927 326 98 70 Sr. Director of Investor/Public Relations Theresa McNeely E-MAIL: tmcneely@pyrosequencing- inc.com Phone: + 1-508-389-1794 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/01/20010601BIT00700/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/01/20010601BIT00700/bit0002.pdf