Two Systems Shipped to Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies
WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Biomedica, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBII) today announced the sale and shipment of its first two PCT Sample Preparation Systems (PCT SPS), the first product based on the Company's patented Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT). The PCT Sample Preparation System consists of the Barocycler(TM) NEP2017 instrument and specially designed, multi-functional, single use PULSE(TM) Tubes. Both the Barocycler instrument and the PULSE Tubes are manufactured and sold by Boston Biomedica, Inc.
The PCT SPS is designed to greatly enhance the sample preparation process for researchers in life sciences. Scientists worldwide study nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins to learn more about their structure and function in animals, plants, and microbes. Knowledge gained from these studies is vital for advancements in therapeutics, diagnostics, agriculture, and other scientific endeavors to improve the health and well being of people and their environment. Such studies, however, require DNA, RNA, and proteins to be released ("extracted") from cells and tissues. Many specimen types, such as plant and animal tissues or hardy microbes such as yeast or bacterial spores, require particularly rigorous extraction procedures to release their nucleic acids and proteins. Currently available methods for these processes, such as mortar and pestle grinding, bead beating, or sonication, have disadvantages relating to safety, speed, and automation capabilities. Conversely, the PCT Sample Preparation System offers a safer and more powerful, versatile, and faster extraction method than other current procedures.
Mr. Wayne Miller, Marketing and Sales Director of the PCT Program, said: "For many scientists working in genomics and proteomics, sample preparation is the major bottleneck in their research. We believe that the PCT Sample Preparation System offers researchers an exciting and powerful method to break through this bottleneck, since it has been shown to release nucleic acids and proteins from a wide variety of biological specimens, including those that are difficult to extract by conventional methods. It has been estimated that the market for sample preparation in genomics and proteomics exceeds one billion dollars."
"We are very excited about the sale of our first two PCT Sample Preparation Systems," said Richard T. Schumacher, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Boston Biomedica. "We are especially pleased that research groups working in different areas in two companies both concluded that the PCT SPS can be a tool for discovery in their important scientific studies. One company, a multi-national, multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical firm, will be using the PCT Sample Preparation System in studies related to the development of therapeutics for cancer. The other company, a cutting-edge biotechnology firm, will be using the PCT SPS in their research programs in cardiovascular disease, fungal infections, and cancer."
Schumacher continued: "We are pleased with the reception that the PCT Sample Preparation System has received thus far, and we look forward to continuing to work with the many research groups that have shown an interest in this novel technology. The sample analysis program that we unveiled a short time ago has given potential customers an excellent opportunity to see the Power of PCT(TM) firsthand on their specific samples. Because of the program's success, the continued generation of exciting data, and the developing interest in the research community, we remain optimistic that the PCT SPS can play an important role in genomics and proteomics sample preparation."
Boston Biomedica, Inc. provides products and services to the diagnostics and life sciences industries to evaluate, monitor, and ensure the quality of infectious disease test results, to improve the preparation of specimens for genomic/proteomic testing, and to safely store and retrieve rare and valuable biological specimens. We also manufacture biological reagents used in test kits and provide a broad range of routine and esoteric research services to governments and industry. BBI operates in three states, and conducts research in new applications for our patented Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT). In 2000, we launched Panacos Pharmaceuticals, and the Company maintains a significant passive investment in this novel antiviral drug development company.
Statements contained in this news release that state the Company's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are "forward-looking" statements. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include the possibility that due to difficulties in the implementation of its strategies, Boston Biomedica may not be successful in selling its PCT Sample Preparation System, or in further developing Pressure Cycling Technology into commercially viable products and services, or such activities may take longer than currently expected. In addition, Pressure Cycling Technology may not be adaptable to any other commercially viable applications; certain pressure cycling applications may not fall within the claims of the Company's nine issued U.S. and two issued European patents; and individuals and groups utilizing such PCT procedures may not be required to license such technology from BBI. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2002. Copies of these documents may be obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.
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