Genetix launches breakthrough technology for the development of biopharmaceuticals

New Milton, Hampshire, UK; February 1, 2005 - Genetix Limited today announces the launch of their next generation mammalian cell imaging and picking instrument, the ClonePix^FL.  The instrument is being launched at LabAutomation in San Jose, California.  ClonePix^FL builds upon the success of the ClonePix, the first instrument developed to target one of the major bottlenecks of biopharmaceutical development. The ClonePix^FL adds fluorescent capabilities to the ClonePix’s unique ability to pick antibody producing clones.

Genetix is leading the way in speeding up the discovery and development of biopharmaceuticals. The ClonePix^FL enables the selection of cells using quantitative measurements based on the pharmacological properties of affinity and specificity, the criteria that determine whether a drug will succeed or fail.  This novel approach will dramatically reduce the time and cost of introducing new biopharmaceutical products.

Selection of colonies can be based upon fluorescence intensity of transfection markers, cell surface proteins or proteins secreted by the target cells. Advanced imaging enables zooming to single cell resolution.

This represents a major advance in cell line selection and development. Large populations of cells can be screened, significantly increasing the chance of identifying the best colonies. Using fluorescence labels, ClonePix^FL can categorize the cells and pick the superset of highest expressing colonies for subsequent downstream tissue culture. Picking a smaller number of colonies – those which are the most productive – saves costs and shortens the development timeline.

Dr Ian Taylor, business manager at Genetix, commented, “Through an early adoption programme we have already secured commitment for the first orders and have been very encouraged by the early interest shown. There is genuine belief that our new technology will deliver a competitive edge.”

Further information is available at www.genetix.com .

About Genetix Limited

Genetix Limited provides automated systems for cell biology, proteomic and genomic research. It supplies many leading academic institutions world-wide and major international companies involved in the drug discovery process including GSK, AstraZeneca and Novartis.

Genetix made a significant contribution to the Human Genome Project by supplying high-throughput equipment to seven of the leading eight laboratories of the consortia. Genetix through its R&D expertise and scientific resource is committed to the continual development of innovative solutions to accelerate the rate of global scientific discovery.

Genetix is quoted on the London Stock Exchange and is based in New Milton, Hampshire, UK. 

www.genetix.com      www.proteinportfolio.com

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Genetix Limited                                     Kapler Communications Ltd

Dr Ian Taylor, Business Manager             Richard Kent, Director

Tel: +44 (0)1425 624 600                        Tel: +44 (0) 1480 471 117

Email: ian.taylor@genetix.com                richard@kapleronline.com