Zymark Corporation and QIAGEN N.V. announce that they have entered into a strategic alliance addressing the use of ultra high throughput sample and liquid handling automation. The organizations will develop and launch systems that combine QIAGEN?s BioRobot? platforms with Zymark?s RapidPlate? 96/384 Microplate Pipetting Workstation, Zymark?s Staccato? Applications Focused Workstations and Zymark?s Twister? Universal Microplate Handler. The resulting systems will satisfy the increasing need in the genomics marketplace for flexible, easy to use ultra-high throughput nucleic acid handling platforms.

?This alliance significantly increases the reach of our leading automation solutions in the field of high-throughput nucleic acid purification with a leading, and what we believe to be, exceptionally powerful technology platform,? stated Dr. Metin Colpan, chief executive of QIAGEN. ?The alliance with Zymark expands the reach of our nucleic acid handling, separation and purification technologies into the highest throughput environments in genomics by leveraging on Zymark?s remarkable laboratory integration technologies.?

?QIAGEN is a world wide leader in the separation, purification and handling of nucleic acid, currently one of the fastest growing research areas in the biotechnology industry,? commented Zymark Corporation President and chief executive Kevin Hrusovsky. ?QIAGEN and Zymark combining resources represents a significant opportunity to advance the throughput of automated nucleic acid handling procedures. We are very pleased that QIAGEN chose to standardize on our liquid handling and robotic technologies, and feel confident that the alliance will help QIAGEN?s broad customer base realize maximum benefit from QIAGEN?s products.?

QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company, is one of the world?s leading providers of technologies and products for the separation, purification and handling of nucleic acids. QIAGEN?s products are sold in more than 42 countries throughout the world to academic research markets and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Further information on QIAGEN can be found at www.QIAGEN.com.

Zymark Corporation, based in Hopkinton, Mass., is one of the only manufacturers in the world concentrated exclusively on laboratory automation and robotic solutions for the rapidly expanding life sciences marketplace. Zymark serves the worldwide pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries, and hosts the annual ISLAR conference on laboratory automation. For more information about Zymark Corporation products, visit www.zymark.com

For additional information contact:
Lynda J. Thomas
Marketing Communications
(508) 497-6549
lynda_thomas@zymark.com

BioRobot is a trademark of QIAGEN N.V. RapidPlate, Staccato and Twister are trademarks of Zymark Corporation.