NextGen Sciences announces distribution agreement with SCRUM Inc. in Japan

March 25th 2004 NextGen Sciences Ltd (Cambridgeshire, UK and Boston, US) a leading provider of solutions for protein research, today announced a distribution agreement with Japanese distributor SCRUM Inc. The agreement appoints SCRUM as NextGen Sciences’ non-exclusive distribution partner for the expressionfactoryTM and the a2DETM in Japan.

“We are extremely pleased to begin our partnership with SCRUM Inc.” Commented Dr Grant Cameron, Commercial Director, NextGen Sciences. “SCRUM is a leading distributor of instrumentation, equipment and reagents in Japan, with a proven track record. Following the launch of the expressionfactory and the a2DE in the US and Europe in August 2003, our agreement with SCRUM underlines our strategy to expand our business globally.”

“SCRUM is especially pleased to enter into this partnership with NextGen Sciences. The expressionfactory and the a2DE are revolutionary technologies, which have generated significant interest in the US and Europe. We anticipate a similar response in Japan and were keen for the opportunity to introduce the technologies to the rapidly growing market, and provide Japanese scientists with the most advanced technologies for protein research.” Said Takemitsu Furuta, Marketing Manager, SCRUM. We are looking forward to making the first introduction of the expressionfactory and the a2DE in Japan at Bio Expo in May 2004.

About NextGen Sciences
NextGen Sciences Ltd (Cambridgeshire, UK and Boston, US) is a leading provider of integrated solutions for protein research. The company’s advanced technologies fully automate established, complex research techniques, improving results and accelerating discovery. With a team of skilled individuals comprising expert discovery scientists, software and design engineers, NextGen Sciences is uniquely positioned to rapidly progress technology solutions from design concept to market. The company has a strong track record of launching first to market products and has achieved an international reputation for successfully commercialising technology.

The expressionfactory fully automates protein expression from gene to protein. Starting with PCR products and cDNA clones it is possible for multiple researchers to plan, automate, and track the entire process of sub-cloning, expression, and purification of hundreds of proteins in parallel. The a2DE is the first technology to automate 2-dimensional electrophoresis. This technique is the most widely used separations method in protein research. Despite its popularity, two-dimensional electrophoresis has undergone few improvements in the last thirty years and remains a complex lengthy technique. The a2DETM is set to change this and has been designed to minimise hands-on time, increase reproducibility, simplify the technique, and optimise results. Within twenty-four hours the a2DETM delivers high quality gels of enhanced resolution.

Further information can be found at: www.nextgensciences.com 
Contact Lorna Watson, Marketing Manager lorna.watson@nextgensciences.com 

About SCRUM Inc
SCRUM Inc is a leading distributor of life sciences instrumentation, equipment and reagents in Japan, with a strong customer base. The company also provides a custom synthesis service for Oligo DNA, Peptides, and Antibodies. 

Further information may be found at : www.scrum-net.co.jp 
Contact Takemitsu Furuta, Marketing Manager furuta@scrum-net.co.jp