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EGEI News eGene Announces Initial Product Test Milestone of Its Carbohydrate Analyzer

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--eGene Inc. (OTCBB:EGEI), developer of revolutionary high-performance bio-analytical instruments, announced today that a new instrument has been developed for carbohydrate analysis and sequencing. The fully functional system has been tested by Prof. Andras Guttman, Marie Curie Chair of the European Commission, head of the Horváth Laboratory of Bioseparation Sciences in the University in Innsbruck, Austria.

Prof. András Guttman, a known expert in carbohydrate analysis, has been collaborating with eGene in the development of the multicapillary carbohydrate analyzer. Initial result of the test will be presented at the Latin American Capillary Electrophoresis Conference (LACE 2006) at Queretaro, Mexico (Dec. 2-5, 2006).

Professor Guttman noted: “eGene’s new Carbohydrate Analyzer provides rapid and high resolution analysis of complex sugars, and holds the promise of becoming the first automated carbohydrate sequencer. The automated, multicapillary electrophoresis technology platform will support numerous applications in proteomics research for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical (drug development) and food analysis industries.”

Mr. Varouj Amirkhanian, EVP/Director of R&D at eGene, noted: "The new carbohydrate analyzer was developed based on our patented multichannel fluorescence detection technology. It provides compact, automated, high throughput digital detection for the analysis of simple and complex carbohydrate mixtures. It saves time and material cost, and it will as well provide much higher resolving power than the currently used traditional slab gel electrophoresis or HPLC type devices on the market."

Dr. Ming Liu, CEO of eGene, noted: “Carbohydrates formerly considered as storehouses for energy or structural material in cell membranes now appear to play a significant role in important biological functions such as pathogen recognition and ovum fertilization. The new carbohydrate analyzer is the next generation bioanalyzer that has been developed by eGene’s R&D team. We plan to launch the product in early 2007. eGene is currently starting early marketing and worldwide commercialization of the system.”

About the Horváth Laboratory of Bioseparation Sciences (HLBS)

The Horváth Laboratory was established in Innsbruck (Austria) in 2004 by the financial support of the European Commission and the Austrian government as a Center of Excellence in the Central and Eastern European region for outstanding researchers from the East and West to pursue fundamental and applied research in the field of bioseparation sciences, particularly multidimensional separations, miniaturization and proteomics-based biomarker discovery. The Laboratory hosts visiting scientists from all over the world, especially from the newly joined Central and Eastern European countries for education and training purposes. Among the goals of the Laboratory are to expand novel and innovative analytical techniques in the biomedical field using high-performance multidimensional separation methods such as liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) in regular and/or microfabricated formats connected to mass spectroscopy (MS) to fulfill recent needs to study global changes in expression of nucleic acids (genomics), proteins (proteomics) complex carbohydrates (glycomics) and biosynthesis pathways (metabolomics).

About eGene Inc.

eGene developed the HDA-GT12(TM) (high-performance DNA analyzer for genotyping on 12 channels). The system analyzes the genetic fingerprints of living organisms. It performs fast DNA sample screening and high-resolution DNA fragment analysis (2-5bp). The system also analyzes the quality and quantity of RNA in gene expression market. The Company sells cartridges that are specific to the type of analysis to be performed. All data is then received in digital form for appropriate transmission and storage.

eGene Inc. (www.egeneinc.com) focuses its core technologies of capillary electrophoresis, liquid handling and automation to develop and manufacture low-cost microfluidic, miniaturized digital analyzer systems, software and consumables for biological materials testing applications. These products detect, quantify, identify and characterize biomolecules including DNA and RNA at high rates of specificity and sensitivity while automating routine and non-routine laboratory and industrial procedures critical to product safety, development quality and productivity.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are made based on management's current expectations and beliefs. Actual results may vary from those currently anticipated based upon a number of factors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revision, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.