CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

Ciphergen Announces Issuance of Patent for SELDI-TOF-MS Assisted Protein Purification Complements Existing Patents Covering Ciphergen's Pattern Track(TM) Biomarker Discovery to Assay Process including Protein Identification FREMONT, Calif., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIPH) announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued Ciphergen U.S. Patent 6,881,586, directed to methods of rapidly purifying proteins. The methods involve using ProteinChip(R) chromatographic arrays integrated with SELDI-TOF-MS detection to rapidly identify "on-chip" conditions for purifying a protein for applications including protein identification. "Protein purification is a major bottleneck today in protein identification," said William E. Rich, President and CEO of Ciphergen. "Our Biomarker Discovery Center(R) scientists as well as leading researchers in our customer base have successfully used this process to purify and identify protein biomarkers discovered and validated through our Pattern Track process." Using a range of ProteinChip array chromatographic surfaces and wash conditions, scientists can quickly identify those combinations that optimize target protein purification conditions. Scientists can then translate these on-chip conditions into a column chromatography protocol for purifying the protein at lab scale. This method greatly aids in providing rapid protein sequencing as well as purification for protein-protein interaction studies, crystallography or activity assays. About Ciphergen Ciphergen's Biosystems Division develops, manufactures and markets a family of ProteinChip(R) Systems and services for clinical, research, and process proteomics applications. ProteinChip Systems enable protein discovery, characterization, identification and assay development to provide researchers with predictive, multi-marker assay capabilities and a better understanding of biological function at the protein level. Ciphergen's Diagnostics Division is dedicated to the discovery of protein biomarkers and panels of biomarkers and their development into protein molecular diagnostic tests that improve patient care; and to providing collaborative R&D services through its Biomarker Discovery Center(R) laboratories for biomarker discovery for new diagnostic tests as well as pharmacoproteomic services for improved drug toxicology, efficacy and theranostic assays. Additional information about Ciphergen can be found at http://www.ciphergen.com/. Safe Harbor Statement Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: For purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), Ciphergen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the use of ProteinChip arrays to rapidly purify proteins for protein identification, interaction studies, crystallography or activity assays as well as statements regarding the diagnostic tests that Ciphergen Diagnostics is developing. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including ProteinChip technology's ability to consistently and rapidly purify proteins, ProteinChip technology's ability to successfully discover, validate and assay biomarkers and patterns of biomarkers that are highly predictive and therefore meet with customer acceptance as diagnostics, and our ability to protect and promote our proprietary technologies. Investors should consult Ciphergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q dated May 10, 2005, for further information regarding these and other risks of the Company's business. NOTE: Ciphergen, ProteinChip and Biomarker Discovery Center are registered trademarks of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: Sue Carruthers, Investor Relations of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505-2233 Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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