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PRINCETON, N.J. and ABINGDON, OXON., U.K., July 16, 2003 – Orchid
Cellmark, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORCH) today announced that its Orchid Cellmark
Europe business has been awarded an exclusive contract by the Norwegian
government to provide DNA testing services to confirm the identity of
individuals immigrating to Norway. Orchid Europe’s new contract with
Norway follows its 2002 exclusive, extendable three-year contract award
from the U.K. government to provide DNA relationship testing services
to the UKVisas department. In the U.K., DNA testing has been used to verify
claimed family relationships in immigration matters for over ten years,
and immigration related genetic testing is a rapidly growing global market.
"As globalization makes possible increasing movements of people between
countries, DNA identity testing is proving to be a useful tool to safeguard
both migrants and the countries where they are settling," said Paul
J. Kelly, M.D., chief executive officer of Orchid Cellmark. "This
new contract is another example of how we are building on our leadership
position in identity genomics testing services to further expand our presence
in Europe."
Orchid was awarded this eighteen-month contract following a competitive
bid process. The contract is potentially renewable for an additional year.
Further details were not disclosed.
"We are very pleased to have been chosen to be the exclusive provider
of testing for this project, which we believe is testament to the superior
quality services and expertise that Orchid offers," said Graham Vitty,
general manager of Orchid Cellmark Europe.
Orchid Cellmark Europe is a leading provider of forensic DNA analysis,
paternity and relationship testing, and agricultural genotyping services
in Europe. Orchid established its European headquarters in 2001 through
the acquisition of U.K.-based Cellmark Diagnostics, one of the world’s
first commercial DNA testing laboratories. Founded in 1987, it pioneered
the introduction of DNA testing for paternity and forensic analysis in
the U.K. and was one of the first DNA testing laboratories in the world
to be accredited to International Quality Standard ISO9002 and ISO17025.
About Orchid Cellmark Europe
Orchid Europe offers DNA testing services to verify relationships for
a variety of applications and is one of the largest providers of paternity
testing services in Europe. It is a leading supplier of forensic DNA profiling
for criminal investigation, a rapidly growing area in which the U.K. is
a world leader. It is also the major supplier of genotyping services to
the U.K. Government’s National Scrapie Plan, delivering high throughput
DNA testing services to help British farmers breed sheep with reduced
susceptibility to this prion disease. More information about the range
of DNA testing services and products available from Orchid Cellmark
Europe can be found at www.orchideurope.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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