PROTEOME SYSTEMS AND SHIMADZU BIOTECH COMPLETE 1ST STAGE OF THE CHEMICAL PRINTER DEVELOPMENT

October, 2001, Proteome Systems and Shimadzu Biotech have today announced the successful completion of the initial stage of their joint Chemical Printer project. Following this early conclusion to its research and development period, the project will be fast-tracked to full commercialisation. This progress represents a breakthrough in high-throughput proteomics.

Chemical Printing refers to a revolutionary technology for protein identification and characterisation. The basis of the technology is microfluidic printing onto proteins, which are then arrayed onto membranes. In the case of the Chemical Printer, preliminary steps involve the arraying of proteins using Proteome Systems' new gel chip technologies. Employing current methods, the entire sample in a protein array needed to be sacrificed in order to conduct its analysis and identification. The Chemical Printer, which exploits state-of-the-art nanotechnology fluidics, enables microprinting on just a fraction of a protein spot. This allows further study on the remainder of the sample, which could prove invaluable for precious clinical samples.

The collaborators expect the Chemical Printer to become one of the pivotal technologies evolving from The Proteomics Alliance (Shimadzu Biotech, Proteome Systems and Sigma-Aldrich). Proteome Systems plan to integrate the Chemical Printer into its' ProteomIQTM platform for high-throughput proteomics. Furthermore, the platform will also be sold as part of the Shimadzu Biotech product portfolio as a stand-alone product and in combination with the Shimadzu Biotech range of mass spectrometers.

Keith Williams, CEO of Proteome Systems, said, "Our team, led by Andrew Gooley, has taken Proteome Systems' patented technology and shown that it performs in a way that is more efficient and flexible than existing in gel digestion technologies. We believe that the Chemical Printer will become a defining instrument in any large scale proteomics program."

Tetsuo Ichikawa, Chairman of Shimadzu Biotech, commented, "The collaboration between Proteome Systems and Shimadzu has put the Chemical Printer project ahead of schedule. This technology is a key to archiving and analysing individual human proteomes, which we believe will be an essential tool in the future."

"The progress of the Chemical Printer project is extremely encouraging and will enable Shimadzu Biotech to provide new solutions in Proteomics when packaged with the Axima MALDI mass spectrometers" remarked Chris Sutton, Business Manager for Shimadzu Biotech's series of MALDI MS products.

Notes to Editors:

About Proteome Systems:
Proteome Systems, with 75 employees in Sydney and Boston, is one of a small group of global companies with the capacity to conduct large-scale proteomics. Proteome Systems uses its own instruments, consumables and informatics technologies as well as partnering with leading technology companies. Proteome Systems is a leading innovator in the development of a high-throughput proteomics platform and, along with its technology partners, anticipates the release of the platform in the second half of 2001.

About Shimadzu Biotech
Shimadzu Biotech, is a new business unit of Shimadzu Corporation. It has been created to unite a strong solutions-based offering and accelerate the progress of biotechnology research and development. Shimadzu Biotech captures, within one dedicated organisation, the best expertise and technology from within Shimadzu Corporation and its subsidiary, Kratos Analytical.

For more information, please contact:

Proteome Systems Limited
Dr. Keith Williams, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 61-2-9889-1830
Fax: 61-2-9889-1805
email: keith.williams@proteomesystems.com
Website: http://www.proteomesystems.com

Shimadzu Biotech
Tetsuo Ichikawa, Chairman
Tel: 81-75-823-1148
Fax: 81-75-823-1364
email: tichi@shimadzu.co.jp

Chris Sutton, Business Manager
Tel: 44-161-888-4400, ext 228
Fax: 44-161-888-4402
e-mail: chris.sutton@kratos.co.uk
Website: http://www.shimadzu-biotech.net

For press information, please contact:

HCC De Facto Group plc
Richard Anderson
Tel: +44 (0)20 7496 3310
Fax: +44 (0)20 7496 3355
s.black@hccdefacto.com