Sittingbourne , UK . March 19^th, 2004 ……  DNA Research Innovations Ltd. (DRI), a leading supplier of products for manual and automated nucleic acid extraction, today announced the signing of a new OEM distribution agreement with buccal swab innovator, Isohelix Ltd. Under the agreement, DRI will non-exclusively supply for re-sale its CST^® Genomic DNA Purification Kits for buccal cells to Isohelix Ltd. for manual and automated use.

Buccal Swabs are widely used to non-invasively remove cheek lining cells from individuals which are then processed to extract DNA. This methodology is routinely used worldwide for criminal justice DNA Databasing, clinical genotyping and lifestyle genotyping. In comparison to invasive techniques used for sourcing DNA such as the taking of blood samples, the buccal swabs procedure is quick and painless and can be carried out by non-trained users.  Due to the rapid expansion of clinical and lifestyle genotyping and the wider use of national criminal databases, there is a growing need for rapid, high yield and effective methods for DNA extraction from buccal swabs to replace blood based protocols.

DRI markets rapid DNA and RNA purification kits based on its patented ChargeSwitch™ (CST^®) Technology. CST^® protocols do not require the use of PCR inhibitors such as alcohols, concentrated chaotropic salts or organic solvents and has received leading endorsements in the application of DNA extraction from buccal swabs. Isohelix Ltd. markets the T-Swab™ buccal swab and Autohelix™ methodology for high yield and high throughput swab processing. This new relationship is aimed to further enable Isohelix Ltd. to penetrate existing and novel US and European markets.

"This agreement gives us additional exposure and methods of distribution into the forensic and clinical genotyping community,” said Simon Douglas, CEO of DRI. "The combination of the high yield T-Swab™ and innovative ChargeSwitch™ Technology will greatly enhance throughput and yield for major laboratories. This relationship is very much in line with our OEM strategy and we look forward to seeing an expansion of our existing customer base."

“Within the nucleic acid purification market, DRI’s technology is very unique and very effective,” added Ernest Poku, CEO of Isohelix Ltd. “The high DNA yield and simplicity of protocols for both manual and automated extraction made DRI a strong partner of choice for us. This agreement will be beneficial to both parties.“

DRI can be contacted on +44 (0) 1795 411 100 or by e-mail at commercial@dri-dna.co.uk. Isohelix Ltd. can be contacted on +44 (0) 20 7739 1441 or by email at info@isohelix.com.

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Notes for editors:

DNA Research Innovations Ltd (DRI) is an independent venture capital funded company with proprietary technology for nucleic acid purification. Called ChargeSwitch^™ Technology (CST ^®) it has the potential to become the global technology of choice for nucleic acid purification. A wide range of commercially available CST ^® products is now available. Further information is available at www.chargeswitch.com.

Isohelix Ltd (Isohelix) is an independent company focused on provided smart plastic labware based solutions for the biotechnology industry. Isohelix has focused initially on improving non-invasive sampling for DNA isolation in order to reduce the need for blood samples which can be contaminated or difficult to transport. Further information on Isohelix’s non-invasive sample collection systems can be found at www.isohelix.com

Media Enquiries:

Rebecca Todd

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7886 8150 Fax: +44 (0)20 7886 8151

Email: r.todd@northbankcommunications.com

At the Company:

Vikki Taylor

Tel: +44 (0) 1795 411 100 Fax: +44 (0) 1795 411 115

Email: commercial@dri-dna.co.uk

DNA Research Innovations Ltd.

940 Cornforth Drive

Sittingbourne Research Centre

Kent ME9 8PX, UK