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PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 27, 2004 – Orchid Cellmark, Inc. (Nasdaq:
ORCH) today announced it has been selected to be the exclusive provider
of high-throughput DNA testing for a large-scale Canadian pork traceability
program. The program is a joint venture between Maple Leaf Foods, Inc.
of Toronto and Pyxis Genomics, Inc. of Chicago, and represents the first
commercial application of DNA technology for pork traceability. The program
is designed to enable Canadian pork marketed anywhere in the world to
be traced in a matter of hours from the store shelf back to the farm where
the meat originated and even back to the maternal sow.
Orchid has been chosen to develop the assay technology to accurately analyze
a panel of highly informative SNPs, or single nucleotide polymorphisms,
identified by Pyxis Genomics. Following the assay development, Orchid
will conduct high-throughput genotyping services for the pork traceability
program.
"Orchid already plays an important role in DNA analysis for food
safety as the world’s leading provider of susceptibility testing
for scrapie, the ‘mad cow’-like prion disease in sheep,"
said David Hartshorne, commercial director of Orchid Cellmark’
European operations. "We are pleased to have been exclusively selected
to perform this critical function for the Maple Leaf pork traceability
program. Orchid has both the established record for innovative DNA assay
development and years of expertise in large-scale laboratory genetic testing
needed to help ensure the success of this important new program."
Orchid is the leading provider of testing services for the growing U.K.-government-funded
effort to reduce the potential risk that scrapie could pose to the food
supply. Orchid’s testing is used to identify those sheep that are
genetically resistant to scrapie to eliminate the disease from the national
sheep flock through selective breeding, and the company has tested nearly
one million sheep since this effort began two and a half years ago. Orchid’s
proprietary SNP-based assays enable rapid, cost-effective high quality
testing and are also being developed for additional animal testing applications.
"At Orchid we are leveraging our expertise and technology in scrapie
susceptibility testing to develop a suite of proprietary SNP-based meat
traceability assays, beginning with our participation in the Maple Leaf
and Pyxis pork traceability program," said Paul J. Kelly, M.D., chief
executive officer of Orchid Cellmark. "Recent incidents involving
mad cow disease in North America and ongoing issues with possible meat
contamination are increasing demands for measures to ensure the safety
of all major meat products. We see this need as representing an important
high-growth commercial opportunity for Orchid that we are well-equipped
to address."
"Orchid has been selected for its expertise in designing cost-effective
and accurate assays for analyzing genetic markers, as well as for its
proven ability in delivering quality accredited high throughput testing
services," said Dr. John Webb, director of genetics and science at
Maple Leaf Foods. "We have been working with Orchid for the last
several months and have been delighted with the progress that we have
made together towards the introduction of this service."
Maple Leaf Foods, the largest pork producer in Western Canada, has brought
together the combined expertise of industry leaders to help ensure the
success of this pork traceability program. Pyxis Genomics will provide
marker identification, Orchid Cellmark will provide assay development
and service delivery, and IBM will create and manage a comprehensive database
and computerized search engine to quickly match DNA from a piece of meat
to the maternal sow and therefore the farm of origin. The new traceability
program has already received widespread and enthusiastic support from
both industry and government, including the Canadian Meat Council. Maple
Leaf Foods will launch the pork traceability program in its own farms
this spring.
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSX: MFI) is a leading Canadian food processing
company committed to delivering quality food products to consumers around
the world. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the company employs more
than 18,000 people at its operations across Canada and in the United States,
Europe and Asia. Maple Leaf Foods had sales of $5.1 billion in 2002. More
information on Maple Leaf Foods can be found at www.mapleleaf.com.
About Orchid Cellmark, Inc.
Orchid Cellmark is the leading provider of services and products for
profiling genetic uniqueness. Orchid’s interlocking strategic business
units address distinctive markets that together represent a unique balance
of established, predictable growth, such as forensic and paternity DNA
testing, and large upside potential, like pharmacogenetics-based personalized
healthcare. All leverage Orchid’s network of accredited genotyping
laboratories, its leading technologies and its expertise in genetic analysis.
Orchid provides identity genomics testing for forensics and paternity
through Orchid Cellmark and Orchid GeneScreen, and also provides public
health genotyping services. Orchid GeneShield is developing pharmacogenetics-based
programs designed to accelerate the adoption of personalized healthcare.
More information on Orchid can be found at www.orchid.com.
All statements in this press release
that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act as amended, including statements
regarding the fact that immigration related genetic testing is a rapidly
growing global market. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected,
including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies,
product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing
of Orchid products and services, dependence on collaborations and partners,
regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent
protection, litigation, Orchid’s ability to obtain additional financing
and Orchid’s listing on the Nasdaq National Market. These risks and
other additional factors affecting Orchid’s business are discussed
under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business," "Risks
Related to the Biotechnology Industry" and "Risks Associated
with Our Common Stock" in Orchid’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2002, and Orchid’s Registration Statement
on Form S-3 and the prospectus contained therein dated June 6, 2003, each
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings
made by Orchid with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to
time. Orchid expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained
herein to reflect any change in Orchid’s expectations with regard
thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which
any such statements are based, except as may be required by law.
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