TM BIOSCIENCE AND METRIGENIX ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF UNIVERSAL ARRAY
TORONTO, ON, and GAITHERSBURG, MD. December 17, 2002 - Tm Bioscience Corporation (TSX Venture: TMC) and MetriGenix, Inc. (Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.) announced today the launch of the Tm100 Universal Array on MetriGenix's proprietary 4D Assay System[TM]. Today's launch of the Tm100 Universal Array meets a goal of the licensing agreement between the two companies announced earlier this year of launching the Tm100 Universal Array by year-end.
The Universal Array technology is an improvement over standard DNA biochips/microarrays, providing increased accuracy, reliability and flexibility, all at lower cost. Traditional biochips require that each DNA assay be designed and optimized in a single process, with cost savings achieved only through mass production of the final biochip product. With the Universal Array, an open platform array has been created, optimized and manufactured for DNA assay applications. Customers now have the freedom to design, modify and put their DNA assay application onto the Universal Array platform.
The MetriGenix 4D Assay System[TM] utilizes a patented flow-through design that optimizes the surface area-to-volume ratio to provide superior performance in comparison to conventional microarrays. The 4D Assay System [TM] has shorter hybridization times, provides larger binding/signal capacity, and is more readily automated than flat biochips. The result is a faster, more robust platform that requires smaller amounts of sample and reagents.
"The specificity of the Tm100 Universal Array sequences will accelerate our efforts to produce flexible, economical arrays that can be optimized for gene sequences," said Dr. Andrew O'Beirne, President and CEO of MetriGenix. "We believe that the combination of the Universal Array and our high-performance 4D Assay Systemä can provide the robust platform that life science researchers have been seeking for years. The Universal Array on the MetriGenix platform should enable researchers to combine sets of 96 specific DNA tests into a single assay."
"The availability of the Tm 100 Universal Array on MetriGenix's 4D Assay System[TM] will allow life science researchers to develop a new generation of highly accurate, high-throughput and low cost genetic tests," said Greg Hines, President and CEO of Tm Bioscience. "The speed with which this product was brought to market demonstrates the robustness and flexibility of the 4D Assay System[TM]."
About Tm Bioscience - Putting the Human Genome to Work[TM]
Tm Bioscience is a DNA-based diagnostics company developing a suite of genetic tests. Tm Bioscience's product pipeline includes tests for genetic mutations related to hematology, cystic fibrosis, toxicology and other debilitating genetic disorders. Tm Bioscience has also developed internal expertise in the development and manufacturing of DNA based diagnostics. Tm Bioscience is an ideal partner for companies, academics or clinical labs with novel gene content who want to capture near term value through the development of marketable tests. Tm Bioscience is located in Toronto, Ontario. Additional information about Tm Bioscience can be found at
www.tmbioscience.com .
About MetriGenix
MetriGenix, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing a biochip platform based on the Flow-thru Chip[TM] technology. The Flow-thru Chip[TM] technology is a scaleable, high-performance microarray platform with a microchannel structure that results in a much larger surface area-to-volume ratio than is attained with flat surface platforms. The unique structure of the Flow-thru Chip[TM] technology yields performance enhancements in capacity, kinetics, and uniformity for biological sensing applications. MetriGenix has combined the Flow-thru Chip[TM] technology, which includes custom and branded chips, and its associated instrumentation, into a complete biomolecular analysis solution-the 4D Assay System[TM]. The 4D Assay System[TM] has been developed for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for use in biological discovery programs, pharmaceutical screening, genetic diagnostics and individualized disease management. For additional information about MetriGenix, the Flow-thru Chip[TM], the 4D Assay System[TM], and the Universal Array, please call 301/987-1716 or visit the Company Web site at
www.metrigenix.com .
Contact:
MetriGenix Contact:
Ralph Shober (investors/media)
Vice President, Corporate Development
301-987-1768
Rshober@metrigenix.com
Tm Bioscience Contact:
James Smith (investors)
The Equicom Group Inc.
416-815-0700 ext. 229
Jsmith@equicomgroup.com
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
