Novel ‘Exact Call Chemistry’ generates single-read accuracy better than 99.99%, essential for detection of minor variants

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE), a provider of innovative life science solutions, today announced that it has established a new standard in accuracy for next generation sequencing. By adding an Exact Call Chemistry (ECC) proprietary probe to its market leading ligation chemistry, the company has demonstrated greater than 99.99% average single-read accuracy. This high-accuracy data is essential for the detection of minor variants in heterogeneous samples, a critical area of importance in cancer research. Further, the data is output in standard basepair format, allowing easier interface with third party tertiary data analysis tools.

“Looking for minor variants in a disease such as cancer can be like looking for a needle in a haystack,” said Mark Stevenson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Life Technologies. “The unprecedented level of accuracy that we can now deliver with ECC makes the SOLiD(TM) System’s chemistry ideal for deciphering the ‘acquired’ genetic code of cancer and achieving whole genome ‘germline’ sequencing at lower coverage and cost.”

Life Technologies will present data supporting this groundbreaking achievement at its workshops at the upcoming meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG). Scientists wishing to attend a special event can RSVP by visiting http://marketing.appliedbiosystems.com/mk/get/SOLID_ASHG_2010_LANDING?CID=_.

About Life Technologies (www.lifetechnologies.com)

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century forensics. Life Technologies had sales of $3.3 billion in 2009, employs approximately 9,000 people, has a presence in approximately 160 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of approximately 3,900 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc., and manufactures both in-vitro diagnostic products and research use only-labeled products. For more information on how we are making a difference, please visit our website: http://www.lifetechnologies.com.

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This press release includes forward-looking statements about Life Technologies’ anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of the information contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies’ plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “expect” and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions (“will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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SOURCE: Life Technologies Corporation