December 19, 2007 — WARRINGTON, PA — Tiger Optics LLC, a leading manufacturer of laser-based trace gas analyzers, today announced that eight National Laboratories around the world are using the company’s continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CW CRDS)-based gas analyzers for research and as a transfer standard. National Laboratories using Tiger Optics’ analyzers are those of the United Kingdom, Finland, Holland, Japan, Korea, China, India, and the United States. The gas standards the National Laboratories formulate and market to the industry are used in myriad applications, including automotive manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and pharmaceuticals, as well as industrial, medical, and specialty gas production.

“We are highly honored to announce that eight of the world’s leading National Laboratories have purchased units from Tiger Optics,” says Lisa Bergson, CEO for Tiger Optics. “Our analyzers are used as transfer standards for trace molecules, such as moisture and methane, and serve as tools in research and development projects. Tiger’s widespread acceptance is a testament to our stability, accuracy, range, and speed of response.”

Billed as “21st century spectroscopy,” CW CRDS was invented at Princeton University, with patents exclusively licensed to Tiger Optics in the early 1990s. The first commercial units were launched in early 2002. Tiger Optics analyzers now cover more than 500 points, with $15 million in cumulative sales in more than a dozen countries. The analyzers can detect a variety of molecular species, including moisture, oxygen, methane, and ammonia.

“We started working with the National Physical Laboratory of the United Kingdom in 2000. In conjunction with BOC Edwards, they ran a year long evaluation of 13 commercial trace moisture analyzers,” explains Bergson. Key parameters investigated were comprised of accuracy, linearity, repeatability, and speed of response. Comparisons were carried out using the NPL’s Low Frost-point Generator and Trace Water Vapour Facility, as well as the UHP Mobile Laboratory of BOC Edwards. Their report, available on the NPL’s web site, found that Tiger Optics’ LaserTrace unit, “spectrometer S1” in the study, “performed best overall.” Since then, Tiger Optics’ performance has also been verified by the 5 to 1,000 ppb Frost-Point generator at the NIST.

Furthering its service to these influential bodies, Tiger Optics units are presently acting as referee for an inter-laboratory comparison of moisture generators, developed by the British, U.S., Japanese, and German national labs. Expected to run for a minimum of six months, the inter-comparison utilizes Tiger Optics’ new HALO mini-analyzer for 2 ppb to 20 ppm moisture measurement and its flagship LaserTrace that detects moisture from 200 ppt to 5 ppm.

About Tiger Optics
Tiger Optics, LLC leads the way in 21st century spectroscopy by bringing to market the world’s first commercial gas analyzers based on patented continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CW CRDS) technology. Designated transfer standards by many of the world’s leading national laboratories, Tiger’s cutting-edge gas analyzers offer absolute accuracy, real-time response, high sensitivity, and low cost of ownership to meet the most demanding applications in an array of analytes, including moisture, oxygen, methane, acetylene, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, and ammonia. With over 500 points in operation, Tiger Optics analyzers are now improving process yields for over 80 companies worldwide in a host of industries, including: semiconductor, laboratory, process control, automotive, industrial, and specialty gas. Headquartered in Warrington, PA, Tiger Optics is represented in the United States and internationally by a select group of sales and service organizations highly experienced in gas analysis and well versed in the advantages of CW CRDS technology.

Visit www.tigeroptics.com

December 19, 2007 — /PRWEB/ — PHOENIX, AZ — Valutek, a leading solutions provider of supplies for cleanrooms and controlled environments, has announced an historic 5-year partnership with SUMCO Phoenix Corp., an international manufacturer of silicon wafers for the global semiconductor industry. In the landmark deal, Valutek will directly support SUMCO’s Arizona and New Mexico facilities with all cleanroom supplies, rather than through a distributor. In addition, Valutek will provide a dedicated, on-site inventory specialist to support this new initiative.

“We’ve had a great relationship with SUMCO since 1996, when we provided cleanroom supplies to them through a distributor. This new partnership gives Valutek the opportunity to directly support their operations — it’s truly groundbreaking,” says Greg Heiland, CEO and president of Valutek. “We are the manufacturer, and we have the ability to control all elements of the manufacturing process, from raw material all the way to the operator’s hands, feet, and head. This differentiator enables us to give SUMCO superior cleanroom supplies that address their operating environments perfectly.”

“Additionally, our new inventory management process enables Valutek to maintain a full 30-days of cleanroom supplies at all times, guaranteeing SUMCO will have what they need, when they need it, in the amounts they require. Our newly created On-site Sales Specialist position can give SUMCO a daily ‘personal touch’ that is unmatched by other manufacturers in the industry. There’s no need to make a phone call or send an e-mail, because when they need us, we’ll be there, in person and ready to help,” says Heiland.

“We are very excited to partner with Valutek. Greg and his team have consistently been on the leading edge of innovation. Their model of selecting highly motivated, experienced people has enabled them to be, in my opinion, the leader in the industry. Our 10+ year history with Valutek has produced outstanding results for SUMCO,” says David Fruth, purchasing manager for SUMCO’s plants in Phoenix and Albuquerque, NM.

“Through a customized support solution agreement, we can ensure the success of SUMCO’s Arizona and New Mexico facilities while helping them maintain the outstanding levels of quality their customers have always received. It’s really an ideal solution for both Valutek and SUMCO, and we look forward to working together on a direct basis for years to come,” says Heiland.

About SUMCO Corp.
SUMCO Corporation (SUMCO) is an international leader in the production of ultra-pure, defect-free, single-crystal silicon wafers for the global semiconductor industry. SUMCO provides state-of-the-art products, high-tech solutions, and technologies to customers worldwide, and offers the broadest technology base in the wafering industry. SUMCO operates 12 manufacturing facilities located in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Visit www.sumcousa.com

About Valutek
Valutek has been providing cleanroom supplies for controlled environments for thousands of customers in the pharmaceutical, electronic, and biomedical industries since 1988. Its one-source shopping model eliminates the need to coordinate multiple manufacturers, invoices, and contacts. Valutek offers its customers the best experience possible with best-in-class cleanroom supplies and superior customer service. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Valutek also has operations in Penang, Malaysia.

Visit www.valutek.com

December 20, 2007 — /PRWEB/ — COLUMBUS, OH — METTLER TOLEDO is pleased to announce the addition of in-house weight calibration to its current product and service offering. The new state-of-the-art facility meets NIST Echelon 1 standards as a high accuracy environment and is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited through A2LA. The lab has the ability to calibrate both ASTM and OIML weights.

The mass calibration lab, which formally opened on December 17, 2007, provides customers with easy ordering and convenient solutions for scheduling weight calibrations. METTLER TOLEDO provides personal service and time savings through its technician pick-up program. Weight calibration orders can be picked up by the local area service technician and shipped directly to the mass calibration lab. A second convenience service is the new weight calibration website located at www.mt.com/us-weightcalibration. This site allows customers to receive a price quotation, arrange for calibration and print a shipping label for fast and easy shipping.

All weight calibrations have a fast ten-day turnaround time. In addition, all subsequent calibrations are offered a 10 percent lifetime recalibration discount. If a customer buys or has their weights calibrated by METTLER TOLEDO, they will receive this discount for the life of the weight set. In addition, any weights 200 g or lower receiving accredited calibration that do not meet calibration requirements will be replaced at no charge.

The METTLER TOLEDO calibration lab offers ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation and Non-Accreditation. All base calibrations come standard with a calibration certificate and a calibration sticker. Accredited labs, who require a higher level of calibration, are calibrated in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025, NVLAP and A2LA regulations with a more detailed certificate.

About METTLER TOLEDO
METTLER TOLEDO is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, and food retailing applications. The company also is a leading supplier of several related analytical and measurement technologies. METTLER TOLEDO Direct Laboratory Service supports a worldwide customer base in more than 100 countries.

Visit www.mt.com

Recall — Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other
interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

December 21, 2007 — ANGIER, NC — AM2 PAT, Inc., Angier, NC, is initiating a nationwide recall of one lot of Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Flush Solution USP (5 mL in 12 mL Syringes), Lot #070926H. The heparin IV flush syringes have been found to be contaminated with Serratia marcescens, which have resulted in patient infections. CDC has confirmed growth of Serratia marcescens from several unopened syringes of this product.

This type of bacterial infection could present a serious adverse health consequence that could lead to life-threatening injuries and/or death. Consumers and user facilities who have these recalled pre-filled syringes, Heparin Lock Flush Solution USP, should stop using the product immediately. Please quarantine the affected product in your inventory and return it to your distributor immediately.

The following information for this recall includes:
MANUFACTURER: Sierra Pre-Filled, Inc., Angier, North Carolina PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Heparin Lock Flush Solution USP, 100 units/ml, 5ml in pre-filled syringes.
LOT#070926H NDC#64054-1003-02 CATALOG #1003-02

The firm voluntarily recalled this product after confirming bacterial contamination in some end-user samples. This product was distributed nationwide including the following states: Florida, Texas, Illinois, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.

It appears from an ongoing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection of AM2 PAT, Inc.’s facility that the firm is not in compliance with the quality system regulation and failed to have adequate controls to ensure necessary sterility of its pre-filled syringes.

The firm is continuing to work with FDA and CDC on monitoring this situation and FDA will provide continuing updates.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-919-552-9689 or 847-691-6500 {Monday through Friday, 9AM Eastern till 5PM Eastern}.

Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product, and/or quality problems should also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by Fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

December 18, 2007 — ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) announces three scholarship offerings for full-time students in the educational programs of science or engineering. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2008.

A scholarship in memory of Robert N. Hancock, a Fellow and past president of IEST, long-time member of the editorial board of the Journal of the IEST, and a leader in the field of environmental engineering, is available. The Robert N. Hancock Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $500, is offered annually by IEST for the best original technical paper written by a student and published in the Journal of the IEST. One of the early proponents of environmental stress screening and combined environmental testing, Hancock had a long and distinguished career and was a source of inspiration through his dedication and technical expertise.

Two additional scholarships are offered to undergraduate college or university students enrolled full-time in an accredited institution with a minimum grade of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in most recent semester/quarter and cumulative GPA. The Eugene Borson Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $500, was established in appreciation of the service of Eugene (Gene) Borson, a Fellow of IEST and a leader in the field of aerospace environmental and contamination control engineering. The Park Espenschade Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $500, was established to honor Park Espenschade’s enthusiasm, energy, devotion, and commitment to the education and training of young people in the environmental sciences. Applicants for these scholarships must also submit a one-page essay describing their career goals and how IEST can help achieve these goals. A science, mathematics, or engineering faculty member must give a recommendation for each applicant.

For further information regarding scholarships, visit the IEST web site at www.iest.org or call (847) 981-0100.

About IEST
Founded in 1953, IEST is an international not-for-profit technical society of engineers, scientists, and educators that serves its members and the industries they represent (simulating, testing, controlling, and teaching the environments of earth and space) through education and the development of recommended practices and standards. IEST is an ANSI-accredited standards-developing organization; secretariat of ISO/TC 209 Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments; administrator of the ANSI-accredited US TAG to ISO/TC 209; administrator of the ANSI-accredited US TAG to ISO/TC 142 Cleaning equipment for air and other gases; and a founding member of the ANSI-accredited US TAG to ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies.

December 18, 2007 — SITTARD/LEIDEN, THE NETHERLANDS — DSM Biologics, a business unit of DSM Pharmaceutical Products and Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. today announced a PER.C6(R) license agreement with biopharmaceutical company Medarex, Inc. This license agreement allows Medarex to use the PER.C6(R) production platform in its antibody research. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

About PER.C6(R) Technology
Crucell’s PER.C6(R) technology platform has been developed for the large-scale manufacture of biopharmaceutical products such as recombinant proteins including monoclonal antibodies. Compared to conventional production technologies, the strengths of PER.C6(R) technology lie in its excellent safety profile, scalability, and productivity under serum-free culture conditions.

About Crucell
Crucell N.V. is a biotechnology company focused on research, development, and worldwide marketing of vaccines and antibodies that prevent and treat infectious diseases. Its vaccines are sold in public and private markets worldwide. Crucell’s core portfolio includes a vaccine against hepatitis B, a fully liquid vaccine against five important childhood diseases, and a virosome-adjuvanted vaccine against influenza. Crucell also markets travel vaccines, such as the only oral anti-typhoid vaccine, an oral cholera vaccine, and the only aluminum-free hepatitis A vaccine on the market. The company has a broad development pipeline, with several Crucell products based on its unique PER.C6(R) production technology. The company licenses this and other technologies to the biopharmaceutical industry. Important partners and licensees include DSM Biologics, Sanofi Aventis, Novartis, Wyeth, and Merck & Co. Crucell is headquartered in Leiden (the Netherlands), with subsidiaries in Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Korea, and the U.S. The company employs more than 1,000 people.

For more information, please visit www.crucell.com.

About DSM Biologics
DSM Biologics, a business unit of DSM Pharmaceutical Products, is a global provider of manufacturing technology and services to the biopharmaceutical industry. In addition to offering world-class biopharmaceutical manufacturing services, DSM Biologics has co-exclusive rights, along with Dutch biotech company Crucell N.V., to license the high-producing PER.C6(R) human cell line as a production platform for recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. DSM Biologics’ FDA-approved facility in Groningen, The Netherlands, was established in 1986 and has a strong track record in using a broad range of cell lines (PER.C6(R), CHO, hybridoma, etc.) in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and has a wide range of experience using multiple manufacturing (batch, fed-batch and continuous perfusion) and purification techniques. The combination of the PER.C6(R) human cell line and DSM’s manufacturing services provides companies with a turn-key biologic manufacturing solution reducing cost, risk, and time-to-market.

For more information, please visit www.dsmbiologics.com.

About DSM
DSM creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences, contributing to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and enjoyable way of living. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection, and housing. The company strategy, Vision 2010

December 12, 2007 — /PRWEB/ — GARDNER, MA — New England Peptide, LLC (NEP), has opened a new production instrumentation laboratory at its Massachusetts facility.

“The laboratory will allow NEP’s engineering team to bring the same level of focus and technology inherent in its R&D lab to new production technology,” says Sam Massoni, NEP’s founder and senior vice president of science and new technology.

“Customers turn to NEP for the highest-quality peptides available,” says Dave Robinson, CEO. “But what many people do not realize is that the company also is continuously developing industry-leading production processes and technologies.”

NEP’s engineering team is no stranger to new technology development. In 2003, the group introduced a custom peptide array program. With the program, explains Robinson, customers are able to obtain NEP’s high-quality custom peptides in a 96-well plate format with a two-week lead time — at $28 per peptide. “Our customers regularly remind us of how the peptide array program has changed the way they do research with peptides,” says Robinson. “They now have the time and financial resources to conduct research they previously could not afford.”

NEP’s engineering staff will use the dedicated lab to develop new instrumentation, qualify newly acquired production equipment, and efficiently bring instrumentation offline for maintenance.

New England Peptide (www.newenglandpeptide.com), founded in 1998, designs and produces custom peptides and polyclonal antibodies for drug and vaccine discovery organizations worldwide. Headquartered in the Boston metro area in Gardner, MA, the company’s chemists and immunological experts specialize in delivering a full range of services for biotech and pharmaceutical applications.

Peptides are small proteins that play key roles in biochemical regulation of all life systems, helping to fight diseases as diverse as cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Peptides’ inherent low toxicity and high potency, coupled with improved drug delivery methods and enhanced manufacturing capabilities, are fueling a surge in use. All segments of the peptide market — from therapeutics and vaccines to diagnostics and cosmetics — are thriving.

December 14, 2007 — /PRNewswire/ — MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA — Haemacure Corp., a Montreal-based specialty bio-therapeutics company, announces the start of construction of its manufacturing facility, the production of laboratory samples of fibrin sealant, the hiring of two senior scientists, and shares purchases by insiders.

Construction is underway at the facility to prepare for the installation of the cleanroom. Haemacure is on plan to have an operational facility by mid-2008. Construction of a state-of-the-art facility incorporating the latest proven manufacturing components is a major milestone that will require significantly lower capital investment than originally planned. The facility will also allow lower operating costs and higher final product safety standards.

Haemacure has produced in its laboratory samples of its proprietary fibrin sealant for delivery to potential partners for evaluation as a part of a collaboration program. This will enable these partners to evaluate the product in their labs and see how it can enhance the performance of their own products, in wound management, regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and combination with biomaterials applications.

Haemacure is pleased to welcome Dr. Trung Bui-Khac, PhD in chemistry, and Veronique Boulanger, BSc in biochemistry and MSc, as new employees of the company. Bui-Khac is a former vice president of Haemacure and the inventor of three of the four inventions making up Haemacure’s patented fibrinogen and thrombin extraction technology. Dr. Bui-Khac holds the position of director of technical development. Boulanger possesses relevant experience in protein biochemistry and holds the position of senior scientist. Both Bui-Khac and Boulanger work at Haemacure’s Montreal laboratory, where they produced samples of Haemacure’s fibrin sealant.

Haemacure also reports that certain of its directors and officers have purchased directly and indirectly in excess of 1 million shares of the corporation on the secondary market at prices ranging from $0.12 to $0.155 per share. The purchases were made between October 26 and November 30, 2007 in accordance with regulatory requirements and filed with the System for Electronic Disclosure for Insiders (SEDI), where further details on individual purchases may be accessed.

“I am very excited with the rapid progress we have made since announcing our First-Patient-In-The-Clinic strategy for fibrin sealant on October 24, 2007. I am also pleased with this strengthening of our scientific and technical team and the product samples they have produced,” says Joseph Galli, chairman and CEO of Haemacure. “Haemacure is well on its way to delivering on the turnaround plan initiated on February 1, 2007 and will be positioned as the only independent, next-generation, human fibrin sealant global supplier,” concludes Galli.

About Haemacure
Haemacure Corp. is a specialty biotherapeutics company developing high-value human plasma protein products for commercialization. Haemacure’s research and development effort is driven by its proprietary plasma protein extraction technology to develop next-generation products, including surgical hemostats. Haemacure’s lead product candidate, Hemaseel(R)HMN, is a fibrin sealant to enter pivotal Phase II/Phase III clinical trials. Haemacure’s second product candidate is thrombin, a component of its fibrin sealant. Follow-on development will focus on surgical hemostats, adhesion prevention, wound healing, regenerative medecine, drug delivery in select therapeutic areas and combination with biomaterials. Haemacure has discovered additional specialty proteins in one if its two plasma fractions and seeks to advance these specialty proteins through partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Haemacure operates offices in Sarasota, FL, through a wholly owned subsidiary.

Source: Haemacure Corp.

Visit www.haemacure.com