Expanded market development planned for next generation cell culture technology

ROCHESTER, New York (July 9, 2007) -Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced it has acquired all assets of the OptiCellT product line from BioCrystal Ltd. of Westerville, OH. Included in the transaction were trademarks, production equipment, inventory, and 12 patents related to OptiCell technology.

OptiCell employs gas permeable polymer membranes to provide a cell culture growth surface enclosed within a sealed environment. This innovative cell culture technology provides scientists with a device that significantly reduces time and labor required for sequential experimental steps such as imaging, cell separation, transfection, cloning, shipping of live cells, short-term cryopreservation and laboratory-scale antibody production. “We believe OptiCell film technology holds great promise for improving the effectiveness and productivity of cell culture work,” said Steve Silverman, vice president and general manager, labware and specialty plastics at Thermo Fisher Scientific, NALGENE® and NUNCT Products.

For the last year, the product line was marketed as the NUNC OptiCell System under an exclusive distribution agreement with BioCrystal. “We decided to purchase the product line because we had very positive customer feedback during its launch phase,” continues Mr. Silverman. “This acquisition helps us leverage and further develop OptiCell as a next generation cell culture device. We are better positioned to fully manage the production and distribution of the product line in order to provide the highest possible quality products and technical application support. Furthermore, it will enable us to develop designs that utilize the film technology to support specific types of Cell Culture research,” Mr. Silverman added.

Chief scientist and Product Manager Dr. Cindy Neeley will provide applications support and help further develop the product. “Dr. Neeley will be available to work closely with customers and relay their needs to the organization,” stated Mr. Silverman. “We will move the production equipment from the BioCrystal facility to our Penfield operation.” On the future of the NUNC OptiCell, Mr. Silverman said, “First we will push hard to improve the exposure of the product line to the market because we believe that it is a great tool for specialized cell culture applications. Second, we will develop new formats and configurations based on unmet market needs.”

For additional information on NUNC OptiCell, call 1-800-446-2543 extension 7261 or visit www.nuncbrand.com. U.S. or Canada: 1-800-625-4327; Europe: +44 (0) 1432 263933; Worldwide: 1-585-899-7198.