Cologne, Germany - April 11, 2000 - MEMOREC (Medical Molecular Research Cologne), a leading European genomic technology company focused on drug target discovery, pharmacogenomics, molecular toxicology and custom array screening, has purchased an arrayWoRx™ microarray scanner from Applied Precision Inc., a leading developer of measurement, analysis and process-control solutions for life-science researchers.

MEMOREC will use the arrayWoRx scanner for research work in pharmaco/toxicogenomics and diagnostics with the PIQORTM (Parallel Identification and Quantification of RNAs) and SAGE™ (Serial Analysis of Gene Expression) systems, and in its research into new drug target structures.

With MEMOREC, Applied Precision enters the industrial biotechnology market, an important addition to its roster of academic customers including Harvard, MIT and the University of Dundee.

Applied Precision's arrayWoRx Microarray Scanner automates highly precise imaging and quantitative analysis of up to 40 microarray slides. Based on a white light source, the arrayWoRx scanner is four times more precise than a typical laser-based system, providing greater flexibility, no chromatic misregistration and repeatable results.

"We're proud to contribute to MEMOREC's important research," said Rich Fisler, biotechnology product line manager for Applied Precision. "As MEMOREC is discovering, arrayWoRx has unique advantages for the industrial biotechnology market, as our academic research customers have known since we introduced the product. Researchers using arrayWoRx can scan up to 40 slides at a time, and produce data that is up to four times more statistically significant than other microarray scanners."

"Applied Precision's arrayWoRx scanner enables us to increase the number of slides we scan, thereby increasing the rate we can analyze data - an important issue, especially concerning high throughput pharmaco/toxicogenomics and diagnostics with low-to-medium density arrays," said Andreas Bosio, head of MEMOREC's array technology department. "We always seek ways to improve the accuracy and speed of our research and contract screening service, and the arrayWoRx scanner from Applied Precision will provide us with a distinct advantage. We may be able to reduce our research and development time by months - and faster drug discovery means faster remedies to those waiting for treatment."

About MEMOREC

MEMOREC (Medical Molecular Research Cologne Stoffel GmbH) was founded in September 1997 by members of the University of Cologne, Germany. MEMOREC is a leading European genomic technology company focused on functional genomics based on differential expression analysis, bioinformatics services, establishment and analysis of animal models for human diseases (targeted gene disruption and replacement), and drug target discovery and validation. It was the first German biogentech company to receive the government's BioRegio Award in December 1997. MEMOREC's research programs are supported by the members of the scientific board and a network of internationally renowned experts from institutes and clinics.


About Applied Precision, Inc.

Applied Precision (www.api.com), develops measurement, analysis and process-control systems for semiconductor test, assembly and packaging, as well as for biomedical and biotechnology imaging and analysis (especially cell microscopy, genomics and proteomics). Applied Precision's specialized systems are based on precisionware, the company's unique convergence of mechanics, electronics, optics and software, enabling advancements in the world's core technologies. Applied Precision can be reached in the United Kingdom at +44 1672 518350 or in the United States at (425) 557-1000.