NEW HAVEN,
September 11, 2001  / –
Molecular Staging Inc. (MSI) announced today that it had been granted
a US Patent (6,280,949) covering Multiple Displacement Amplification
technology (MDA^TM) and it’s use in life science research
and diagnostic products.  This is the second patent granted for Multiple Displacement
Amplification, invented by Dr. Paul Lizardi and colleagues at Yale
University and exclusively licensed by MSI.

Using MDA
technology, MSI has developed the first simple, fast and effective
whole genome amplification kit called MDA AmpliPhi^TM.

This one step
method facilitates genetic testing by increasing the amount of genomic
DNA in samples about one million fold.

Genetic
testing focuses on the analysis of genetic information for disease
pre-disposition, earlier detection of disease, identity testing such
as forensics and paternity testing and more effective drug discovery
and development.

Currently,
clinical genetic analyses require large blood and tissue samples in
order to access sufficient genomic DNA. 
In some cases there is insufficient DNA to perform the desired
number of tests.

The MDA
AmpliPhi kit will facilitate genetic testing by enabling:

-        

use of smaller routine blood or tissue samples (such as a
finger prick).

-        
analysis on single cells from precious samples such as tissue
biopsies and cerebrospinal fluid.

-        
an increase in the practice of archiving DNA for subsequent
testing or retesting.

 

“We are pleased to have secured a second patent on this important
technology” said Torben Christensen, President and CEO of MSI. 

“Our MDA AmpliPhi kit effectively ensures that DNA samples
can now be considered as renewable resources, enabling researchers to
return to them again and again for new tests or confirmatory
diagnosis.”

MSI is a life science company developing a
portfolio of technologies for detection and measurement of proteins
and nucleic acids across a broad range of applications, including
proteomics, genomics, pharmacogenomics and diagnostics. 
One of MSI’s core technologies is Rolling Circle
Amplification Technology (RCAT^TM), a proprietary
amplification process that has significant advantages in terms of
sensitivity, multiplexing, dynamic range and scalability. 
Additional information about MSI can be found at www.molecularstaging.com.

CONTACT:

Molecular
Staging Inc.

                                                         
Jennifer Joiner, (203)772-5000