Pyrosequencing completes worldwide sales network for applied genomics market with new distributors in asia pacific

PYROSEQUENCING COMPLETES WORLDWIDE SALES NETWORK FOR APPLIED GENOMICS MARKET WITH NEW DISTRIBUTORS IN ASIA PACIFIC Uppsala, Sweden, July 19, 2001- Pyrosequencing AB (Stockholm: PYRO A) has completed its worldwide distribution network for the Company's DNA sequencing and analysis systems to include the major markets in Asia Pacific. In addition to six well-established distributorships, Pyrosequencing recently signed four new agreements with leading distributors of life science research products including Millennium Science Pty. Ltd. for Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia; Bio-Medical Science Company, Ltd., for Korea; Biowell Technology Inc., for Taiwan; and Gene Company Ltd., in China and Hong Kong. These agreements will complement the Company's existing distribution arrangement in Japan with Sumitomo. "The Asia-Pacific market represents a second wave of growth for DNA sequencing and genetic analysis products and these new agreements cover 80 percent of that market," said Mårten Winge, Vice President, World Wide Marketing, Sales and Support for Pyrosequencing AB. "We expect that our distributors outside the U.S., Europe and Japan will, over time, represent a substantial portion of our revenue. To facilitate this growth, we sought agreements with clear market leaders in these countries to take an immediate and assertive position in these regions." Pyrosequencing's PSQtm96 System is the first commercially available dedicated sequencing system for applied genetic analysis. The PSQ 96 System, which includes a sequencing instrument, software and reagent kits, has rapidly penetrated the U.S., European and Japanese markets because of its ability to accurately, rapidly, reproducibly and cost- effectively analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs are responsible for most genetic variations within a species and are critical to genetic research. Pyrosequencing also offers a high- throughput analysis system, PTPtm, which is based on 384-well microplates, robotics and the same patented technology. The Company's systems are represented in the major industry segments including pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as leading academic institutions. "Pyrosequencing continues to build a strong and dedicated customer base and is playing a leading role in shaping the market for applied genomics," said Erik Walldén, President and CEO of Pyrosequencing AB. "This comprehensive distribution network, together with the success of our own sales force in the U.S. and Europe, will enable Pyrosequencing to maintain its leadership in providing solutions for applied genetic analysis." 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 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 and DuPont Agriculture. The Company's Sequence Analysis Software and Reagent Kits together with the PSQ 96 System are used for the identification 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, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Pyrosequencing AB is listed on the OM Stockholm Exchange. The Company's web address is 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," and "should," 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pyrosequencing AB Erik Walldén Theresa McNeely, Sr. Director President & CEO Investor and Public Relations erik.wallden@pyrosequencing.com theresa.mcneely@pyrosequencing.com Phone: +46 18 565902 or 070-326 98 70 Phone: +1 877 797 6767 Financial Dynamics Jonathan Birt/SarahMehanna jonathan.birt@fd.com; sarah.mehanna@fd.com Phone: +44 (0) 20 7831 3113 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/07/19/20010719BIT00220/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/07/19/20010719BIT00220/bit0001.pdf