Cambrex and Epoch Biosciences Announce Licensing Deal For Rapid Microbial Detection

Cambrex Bio Science, a subsidiary of Cambrex Corporation and Epoch Biosciences, Inc. a provider of proprietary products that accelerate genomic analysis, are pleased to announce that they have entered into a worldwide license whereby Cambrex Bioproducts will incorporate Epoch's MGB Eclipse™ Probe System technology into its rapid microbial detection testing products and services.

Under the license and supply agreement, Cambrex receives a non-exclusive license to MGB Eclipse technologies and an exclusive license to probe sequences developed for specific patented primer sequences supplied by Cambrex. Epoch will receive an upfront payment for technology access, product sales from shipments of MGB Eclipse probes and primers to Cambrex, royalties on Cambrex's sales of testing systems and services to end-users, and contract development revenue for specific product optimization.

William G. Gerber, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Epoch, said, "This agreement increases the reach of our technology and products into the global microbiology testing market. Epoch's analytical tools are broadly useful in the detection of microorganisms in a variety of settings, support quality assurance professionals in achieving corporate and regulatory standards, and help protect consumers from contamination due to equipment failure, manufacturing process error, deliberate sabotage or bioterrorism.

This accord with Cambrex, our second licensing deal in industrial quality control testing, further validates our technology in this important sector. It strengthens our position in industrial genomics, our third major market along with molecular diagnostics and research applications. We expect this collaboration to generate revenue for Epoch beginning in the fourth quarter of 2004." "This licensing agreement with Epoch demonstrates our commitment to provide customers with rapid, accurate and cost-effective microbial detection solutions," commented Dave Eansor, President, Cambrex Bioproducts. "Epoch's technology is complementary to our own and will enable us to build upon our endotoxin detection and mycoplasma screening testing platforms.

We expect to swiftly integrate the technology into new products for rapid microbial detection, a necessity for cell therapy and biologics customers who are looking for a rapid release test and to meet the aims and objectives of the FDA's Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiative."