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WaferGen's SmartSlide Micro-Incubation System is a first-of-its-kindfamily of integrated fluidics exchange micro-incubation products that workseamlessly with inverted microscopes. This breakthrough technology is enablingcell biology and stem cell researchers to conduct complex time lapse imagingstudies to characterize, differentiate and proliferate cells, as well as growstem, primary and other difficult to cultivate cells in consistently optimalphysiological conditions. These innovative capabilities will allow researchersto pursue cutting-edge research topics that are not addressable with existingtechnology. For example, the SmartSlide 200 Micro-Incubation System(TM)allows researchers to precisely control and vary oxygen, carbon dioxide andnitrogen parameters in order to create anoxia and hypoxia conditions which arecritical for growth and differentiation of stem cells.
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"As evidenced by the signing of these additional distributor agreements inkey foreign markets, we are continuing to build momentum with our SmartSlideMicro-Incubation System worldwide," stated Alnoor Shivji, WaferGen's chairmanand chief executive officer. "This innovative platform provides criticalperformance advantages to stem cell researchers and cell biologists, and welook forward to continuing the expansion of our SmartSlide Micro-IncubationSystem product line as well as our customer base."
About the SmartSlide(TM) Micro-Incubation System
WaferGen has developed and is currently marketing the SmartSlide Micro-Incubation System, a first-of-its-kind family of integrated fluidics exchangemicro-incubation products that work seamlessly with inverted microscopes. Thisbreakthrough technology is enabling cell biology and stem cell researchers toconduct complex time lapse imaging studies to characterize, differentiate andproliferate cells, as well as grow stem, primary and other difficult tocultivate cells in consistently optimal physiological conditions. Theseinnovative capabilities will allow researchers to pursue cutting-edge researchtopics that are not addressable with existing technology. For example, theSmartSlide 200 Micro-Incubation System allows researchers to precisely controland vary oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen parameters in order to createanoxia and hypoxia conditions which are critical for growth anddifferentiation of stem cells.
The core element of the SmartSlide Micro-Incubation System is the compact,sterile and disposable SmartSlide-6 Micro-Incubator which is designed tomaintain cells at specific physiological conditions for prolonged cell ortissue imaging. The SmartSlide-6 Micro-Incubator allows for programmablefluidics exchanging, enabling the delivery of up to six nutrient media and gasinto each of its six individual wells in both intermittent and continuousperfusion modes.
WaferGen has developed a family of SmartSlide Micro-Incubation Systemproducts built upon the SmartSlide-6 Micro-Incubator that offers cell biologyand stem cell researchers varying levels of control over specificenvironmental conditions such as nutrient flow, temperature, humidity, gas andpH. Each of these SmartSlide Micro-Incubation System products incorporateseasy-to-use graphical interface software that allows for complete walk-awayautomation. The SmartSlide Micro-Incubation System family of products consistsof four currently marketed products: SmartSlide 50 Micro-IncubationSystem(TM), SmartSlide 100 Micro-Incubation System(TM), SmartSlide 150 Micro-Incubation System(TM), and SmartSlide 200 Micro-Incubation System(TM).
Since the launch of its SmartSlide Micro-Incubation System in late 2006,WaferGen has seen a positive response from many leading research institutionsand organizations. The company's current SmartSlide Micro-Incubation Systemcustomers include Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, California Institute ofTechnology (CalTech), Abbott Labs, and the National Institutes of Health(NIH).
About WaferGen
WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. is a leader in the development, manufacture andsale of state-of-the-art systems for gene expression, genotyping, cell biologyand stem cell research for the life science and pharmaceutical industries. Thecompany is actively developing its SmartChip(TM) product for the geneexpression and genotyping markets. SmartChip is being developed as the firstwhole genome, high throughput gene expression real-time polymerase chainreaction (PCR) platform and promises to deliver significant speed and costadvantages to researchers in the gene expression and genotyping markets.WaferGen currently markets its SmartSlide(TM) family of products to companiesand organizations involved in stem cell and cell biology research. SmartSlide,which was launched in 2006, represents the first fluidics integrated micro-incubators enabling cell biology and stem cell research. RepresentativeSmartSlide customers include Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, CaliforniaInstitute of Technology (CalTech), Abbott Labs, and the National Institutes ofHealth (NIH).
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Actof 1995
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" withinthe meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, asamended. Such statements include statements preceded by the words "intends,""may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts,""estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Forsuch statements, the company claims the protection of the Private SecuritiesLitigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, arebased on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknownrisks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company.Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in theforward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences includethe risks that: (i) the company may be unsuccessful in commercially developingits products or in achieving market acceptance of new and relatively unproventechnologies; (ii) the company will need to raise additional capital to meetits business requirements in the future and the company may not be able to doso on reasonable terms or at all; (iii) the company's proprietary intellectualproperty rights may not adequately protect its products and technologies; and(iv) the company expects intense competition in its target markets, includingfrom companies that have much greater resources than the company, and therecan be no assurance that the company will be able to compete effectively.More detailed information about the company and the risk factors that mayaffect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in thecompany's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including thecompany's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 14,2008.Investors and security holders are urged to read this document free of chargeon the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The company does not undertake topublicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of newinformation, future events or otherwise.Contact: Vida Communication (on behalf of WaferGen) Stephanie Diaz (investors) Tim Brons (media) 415-675-7400 415-675-7400 [email protected] [email protected]
SOURCE WaferGen Biosystems, Inc.
