Haverhill, UK, 27^th July 2004 – The new UK oligonucleotide manufacturing and production site of Sigma-Genosys, a global leader in the supply of oligonucleotides for genetic research, and a division of Sigma-Aldrich (NASDAQ:SIAL), was officially opened today by Lord Sainsbury, UK Minister for Science and Innovation.

Opening the site, Lord Sainsbury, UK Minister for Science and Innovation said:

-"Sigma-Genosys' decision to develop a new state-of-the-art facility here in Haverhill is a sure sign of the company's success.  This new facility is a demonstration of the company's commitment to the UK and I am delighted formally to open it."

During his address, David Harvey, Chairman, President and CEO of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, commented:

“This new facility highlights Sigma-Aldrich’s continued commitment to manufacturing and investment in Europe and, in particular, to customer service. We have located the facility close to Cambridge, the UK’s most established cluster for the bioscience industry. The investment in this new site allows us to meet our ever increasing customer demands, whilst still delivering high quality, custom oligonucleotides in 24 hours.” 

The 22,000 sq ft customised manufacturing site enables higher production capacity and has enhanced quality control facilities including state of the art high throughput mass spectrometry analysis. The site employs 63 people. Jonathan Pearce, head of Sigma-Genosys’ operations in Europe added:

“Customer service and product quality is vital in the oligonucleotide business. Our new facility is fully integrated from order processing, through materials management and production to quality control and shipping. We can, in spite of increased throughput from customers, continue to offer market leading turnaround times, without sacrificing quality or service.

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Notes to editors:

2.       About Sigma-Genosys (www.sigma-genosys.eu.com)

Sigma-Genosys is a leading supplier of custom synthetic DNA (oligos), gene arrays, and synthetic peptides, and a supplier of research reagents to the global life science research community. Formerly Genosys Biotechnologies, the company was acquired by Sigma-Aldrich in December 1998 and maintains manufacturing facilities in USA; U.K.; Germany; Israel, Australia; Canada; Japan and India.

3.       About Sigma-Aldrich (www.sigmaaldrich.com)

Sigma-Aldrich Corp. (NASDAQ:SIAL) 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 chemical 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 34 countries and has 5,900 employees providing excellent service worldwide.  We are committed to the success of our Customers, Employees and Shareholders through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service.