PerkinElmer Introduces Two Comprehensive Multiplexing Platforms for Genomic Research at ASHG

PerkinElmer, Inc., a global leader in Health Sciences and Photonics, today announced that it will unveil its new multiplexing technologies for genomic research at the 2006 American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Annual Meeting, being held October 9-13, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Comprehensive Solution (CS)™ Autoplex Gene Expression Platform and the Spectral Genomics Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) Platform provide important tools for improving gene expression validation, molecular karyotyping and genome profiling.

"With the acquisition of Spectral Genomics and our partnership with Luminex® Corporation to use xMAP® technology, PerkinElmer is strengthening its commitment to the genomics market," said Robert F. Friel, president of PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences. "We now offer solutions that accelerate the discovery and validation of genomic profiles and applications."

Within the CS Autoplex Platform, PerkinElmer is launching two products for gene expression validation -- a custom gene expression panel kit and a labeling kit, both with analysis software. The CS Autoplex Custom Gene Expression Panel Kit enables researchers to customize their candidate gene panels for the high throughput validation of large sample sets. Validation of genomic biomarkers is a critical area of research for drug discovery and potential disease diagnostics. These kits, built upon Luminex's xMAP® technology, are designed to reduce the cost of sample processing, while facilitating the progress of microarray-based discovery by efficiently validating biomarkers with reproducible results. CS Autoplex Analysis Software offers a familiar output format for standard ratiometric microarray data analysis and visualization.

The Company will also show the PerkinElmer CS Autoplex Workstation, which completes the CS Platform by offering the latest in automated multiplex technology for assay set-up, sample processing and analysis for high content xMAP® technology.

With the Spectral Genomics Array CGH Platform, PerkinElmer is now the only company to offer a Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) based integrated solution consisting of the SpectralChip 2600 array, the Constitutional Chip 3.0 array, the ScanArray™ System, labeling reagents and SpectralWare™ Analysis Software which reduces research time. Researchers can use the platform for discovery and investigational purposes. This PerkinElmer solution can generate results in 24 hours versus the industry standard of five to 20 days in the lab, which is common for standard karyotyping.

For discovery, the SpectralChip 2600 array is the first technology to be released under the PerkinElmer name since the Company's acquisition of Spectral Genomics in April 2006. The SpectralChip 2600 array is the only complete BAC array platform for genome profiling that offers greater throughput, resolution and ease of use in a single technology.

As part of PerkinElmer's genetic screening portfolio, the Constitutional Chip 3.0 array is being introduced for investigational use in cytogenetics. The Constitutional Chip 3.0 BAC CGH microarray, being evaluated for coverage of 42 disorders and 41 subtelomeric regions, offers an attractive alternative to current Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) technology. This entry into the post-natal cytogenetics testing market will further expand PerkinElmer's robust portfolio of newborn and child health diagnostics and risk assessment tools.

For those attending the ASHG conference, PerkinElmer will host a luncheon on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, featuring speaker Warren G. Sanger, Ph.D., FACMG, Director, Human Genetics Laboratory and Professor, Pediatrics and Pathology/Microbiology at the Munroe-Meyer Institute and speaker Michael Sheldon, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Biostatistician, Baylor Microarray Core Facility at Baylor College of Medicine.