Issaquah, Wash., and Taipei, Taiwan - July 23, 2001 - Applied Precision, Inc. has signed Transtex Corporation as distributor of its arrayWoRx^eTM Biochip Reader in Taiwan and mainland China. Transtex's sales and service experience in advanced electronics combines with the arrayWoRx^e's enabling technology to offer Taiwan and China significant research opportunities in the exploding biochip market.

By working with Transtex, Applied Precision can offer Taiwanese and Chinese industrial operations the most advanced equipment available for pharmaco/toxicogenomics and research into new drug target structures. In addition, Taiwanese and Chinese academic institutions can now buy the most effective tool available to research genetic mechanisms. "We're pleased to work with Transtex to help organizations in Taiwan and China speed learning, drug discovery and medicine through use of the arrayWoRx^e," said Joe Ahladis, vice president of sales, marketing and customer service for Applied Precision.

Transtex brings Applied Precision experience in biotech and a strong sales force and service team. "Our domain experience in servicing advanced electronics equipment makes Applied Precision a natural partner and the arrayWoRxe a complement to our product offering," said Victor Wang, General Manager of Transtex. Transtex's strong electronics background equips the company to effectively service the unique convergence of mechanics, electronics and software that make the arrayWoRx^e work. Similarly, Transtex's experience working with the biotechnology industry makes it especially able to demonstrate how the arrayWoRx^e offers imaging that is more repeatable, automated and efficient than any laser-based scanner on the market.

The arrayWoRx^e is designed for highly accurate imaging and analysis of microarray data, enabling scientists to conduct in-depth research into DNA, proteomics, genomics and SNPs. The PC-based system uses Applied Precision's proven light delivery and collection technology that combines a white light source and CCD (Charged Coupled Device) camera, rather than a laser light source and PMT (Photo-Multiplier Tube). This technique provides users with greater flexibility by allowing experiment designs using a wide variety of fluorescent probes and up to four wavelengths on one biochip.

About Transtex Corp.

Transtex Corporation is a premier distributor of radiology and biotechnology products and services in Taiwan and China. Transtex's core value is the value-add that comes from good service and constant personal contact with customers of high-end scanning equipment. With a firm grasp on the large specialty market in Taiwan, Transtex has begun expansion into the blooming Chinese market. Transtex was founded in 1975, and has headquarters in Taipei. For more information about Transtex services, call +886 2 2709 4556.

About Applied Precision, Inc.

Applied Precision Inc. is the leading provider of measurement, analysis and process-control systems for semiconductor test, assembly and packaging, as well as biomedical and biotechnology research and analysis (especially cell microscopy, genomics and proteomics). Applied Precision's specialized systems are based on precisionware^TM, the company's unique convergence of mechanics, electronics 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 and can be located on the Web at www.appliedprecision.com.

Contacts:

Applied Precision, Inc.
Joe Ahladis
Vice President, Sales, Marketing
And Customer Service
Tel: +1-425-557-1000
Fax: +1-425-557-1055
Email: jahladis@api.com

Transtex Corp.
Victor Wang / General Manager
10F, No. 390, Section 1, Fu-shin South Road
Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel: 02/27094556-8
Toll Free: 08021-2634
Fax: 02/27016462