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ST. LOUIS, MO and Taufkirchen, Germany, 13th February 2006 – Sigma-Aldrich, (Nasdaq: SIAL) a leading $1.6 billion Life Science company, announced today that it has signed a series of agreements that expands its position in the areas of RNA Interference (RNAi), gene expression and cell based assays. Sigma-Aldrich and Genospectra, a leading developer of products to support systems biology and drug discovery efforts, have signed several agreements in which Sigma-Aldrich acquires a minority equity stake in Genospectra and is granted access to various Genospectra technologies. Under the agreed upon terms Sigma-Aldrich gained access to the QuantiGene gene expression profiling assay and Genospectra’s technologies for inducible siRNA, a unique nano-particle system for delivery of siRNA and other biomolecules to cells. The companies will participate in a joint program to develop new technology and products in the area of cell-based assays. “We are very pleased to enter into this relationship with Genospectra,” said Shaf Yousaf, President of Sigma-Aldrich’s Research Biotech business unit. “These agreements strengthen our already strong portfolio of products in the areas of RNA Interference and RNA profiling. Just as importantly, the Genospectra biosensor technology and research collaboration form the foundation for future product development in the rapidly growing area of cell-based assays.” Dr. Frank Witney, Genospectra’s CEO, said, “We are delighted with Sigma-Aldrich’s decision to invest and partner with Genospectra. Sigma is an important player in the life sciences reagents space, so this new relationship validates both Genospectra’s strategy and portfolio, and will drive both companies’ programs in novel areas such as biosensors and cell based assays.” Under the terms of the agreements, Sigma-Aldrich will receive licenses to commercialize the inducible siRNA and delivery technologies and distribution rights to the QuantiGene® product line. Sigma and Genospectra will participate in a joint development program for cell-based assays, particularly to develop novel live cell biosensor assay reagents. These reagents provide real-time data on protein activity and location in living cells, and will make an impact in the High Content Screening and Cell-Based Assay fields. "Sigma-Aldrich’s leadership and capabilities in technology commercialization and product development, combined with Genospectra’s cutting edge platforms in the area of systems biology, provides significant potential for success," said Dr. David Smoller, Vice President of R&D for Sigma-Aldrich’s Research Biotech business unit. “This biosensor program will be combined with Sigma’s existing investment and leadership in RNAi to provide scientists with a set of true solutions that will lead to a better understanding of disease biology and pathway analysis." About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Our biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. We have customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use our products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 35 countries and has over 6,800 employees providing excellent service worldwide. We are committed to accelerating Customer success through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit our award-winning Web site at www.sigma-aldrich.com About Genospectra: Genospectra, Inc. is a privately-held life science company developing technologies and products for parallel quantitative biology (PQB™) for dynamic measurements of cellular biology. Genospectra’s PQB initiative is focused on creating novel cell-based assays and tools that enable multiplex measurements of molecular events, such as intracellular pathway analysis, in a quantitative and scalable manner. Genospectra has developed thousands of assays for the QuantiGene® Reagent System, which is powered by the proprietary branched-DNA technology for gene expression analysis in cell-based assays. This novel technology enables accurate and precise quantitation of RNA levels without RNA purification for biomarker analysis, RNA interference, microarray validation and predictive toxicology. The company's products are targeted to research cellular pathways, to dissect molecular models of human disease, and to discover the next generation of medicines. Genospectra is based in Fremont, California. For additional information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.genospectra.com This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future performance, goals, strategic actions and initiatives and similar intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Company’s expectations, goals, beliefs, intentions and the like, which involve assumptions regarding Company operations and conditions in the markets the Company serves. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. At Sigma-Aldrich Kirk Richter 1-314-286-8004
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