04 January 2002 - Eurogentec acquired license for Scorpions technology from DxS Genotyping

Belgium, Liège - 4 January 2002

DxS (UK), the pioneering pharmacogenomics company, has licenced its class leading 'Scorpions' genotyping technology to Eurogentec (Belgium), a leading supplier of genomic research solutions.

Under the terms of the agreement Eurogentec has acquired non-exclusive rights to make and supply 'Scorpions' technology to the life science community (excluding the field of agrochemicals) for research purposes. In exchange DxS receives an undisclosed royalty.

'We are delighted to have concluded this, our first licencing agreement, with a strong, international provider of genomic research solutions' commented Dr Steve Little, DxS Chief Executive Officer. 'Eurogentec's commitment to 'Scorpions' validates our technology and it will ensure that laboratories around the globe can enjoy to the benefits of our highly sensitive, accurate and easy-to-use genotyping technique.'

Didier Allaer, Business Unit Manager Genomics, stresses: "'Scorpions' is a powerful technology for Genomics and we are very pleased to be the first acquiring this licence. This technology completes ideally some other products of the company like Quenching molecules and dyes as well as kits for PCR."

This is the third licensing agreement in the field of Genomics that Eurogentec concluded this year. The company is amongst the five European leaders in custom oligonucleotide synthesis. "We are now able to offer a complete and reliable service answering to the largest needs of the life science community" commented Didier Allaer.

'Scorpions' is a superior genotyping technology, which can process up to 100,000 assays per day. It provides reliable, clear results with low backgrounds and high signal strength because it involves a single, instant reaction and avoids competing and/or side reactions. 'Scorpions' supports sample pooling and up to 10,000 samples can be combined to reduce time and effort. It is also highly sensitive and uses a simple 'mix and glow' methodology.

'Scorpions' is valuable in the identification and selection of new pharmaceutical leads and excluding unsuitable targets and candidates at an early stage. It will help reduce the cost and increase the effectiveness of clinical trials and support the provision of therapies with real competitive advantage. DxS is in discussions with a number of international life science companies with regard to other licencing agreements and the provision of fee for service genotyping.

DxS is a human genetic analysis company. Two ex-AstraZeneca scientists, Dr Steve Little and Dr David Whitcombe, who invented and developed the 'Scorpions' technology and Shalni Arora, previously Business Manager at AstraZeneca, founded DxS in June 2001. The company is backed by Northern Venture Managers (NVM), which invested over £2 million in the company at its inception. DxS operates out of purpose built laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art robotics and liquid handling systems, in Manchester, UK.

Eurogentec was founded in 1985 as a spin-off of the University of Liège (Belgium). Its mission is to design and deliver reliable and innovative services and products for the Life-Science community. As a leading supplier for genomic and proteomic research, Eurogentec is able to offer its customers integrated solutions, whether they use DNA, antibodies, peptides or proteins as research tools. The Company has subsidiaries in France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and a branch office in Switzerland. In 1999 Eurogentec acquired Oswel Research Products in Southampton. In August 2001, the company made another strategic step with the incorporation of the joint venture Nippon EGT in Japan. Eurogentec has realised a total turnover of EUR 21 million in 2000, with 204 employees including 30 PhD's.