FULLERTON, Calif. (January 27, 2003) - New Product Introductions Launch Company’s ProteomeLab™ Initiative

Beckman Coulter, Inc. today introduced two new systems for protein discovery: ProteomeLab PF 2D, an automated, two-dimensional fractionation system for high-resolution analysis of complex protein mixtures, and ProteomeLab PA-800 Protein Characterization System for the automated, high-resolution analysis of proteins. The new instruments are the first introductions in Beckman Coulter’s new ProteomeLab initiative.

“We are bringing our expertise in automation to bear on the proteomics process which includes cellular isolation, subcellular fractionation, antigen identification, protein fractionation, protein characterization, data evaluation and, ultimately, disease diagnosis,” said John P. Wareham, chairman, president and chief executive officer for Beckman Coulter. “Our ability to expedite the protein research process through automation will provide researchers with the technology and throughput they need to unleash the full potential of proteomics.”

The ProteomeLab™ initiative is intended to bring the Beckman Coulter’s technologies together to address the needs of scientific researchers in the emerging field of proteomics. The new program integrates systems, software and chemistries under the ProteomeLab brand name and leverages the company’s technological strengths in the development of new products specifically designed for protein research.

ProteomeLab will build on key Beckman Coulter technologies including automated liquid handling, immunochemistry, capillary electrophoresis, chromatography, centrifugation, spectrophotometry, microarrays and flow cytometry, and will also incorporate Eprogen Inc.’s patented protein discovery chemistry and software platform, which Beckman Coulter has exclusive licensing and OEM rights to for distribution worldwide. Over the coming months new products, specialized chemistry and modifications of existing systems will be announced to complement the ProteomeLab family.

Proteomics is an emerging field of study that involves the structural and functional characterization of proteins including the study of protein interactions within the cellular environment. An important goal of proteomics research is to identify specialized molecules that may be diagnostic disease markers or targets for therapeutic drug development.