CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

Ciphergen and American Red Cross Announce Combinatorial Bead Technology to Detect Low Abundant Proteins in the Serum Proteome Combinatorial Library of Solid-Phase Affinity Ligand Beads Equalizes Serum Protein Concentrations Without Depletion FREMONT, Calif., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIPH) and the American Red Cross announced today a new and effective approach to detect proteins of low abundance in biological fluids using novel combinatorially-generated, solid-phase affinity ligands to enable deeper exploration of the serum proteome. Ciphergen will exclusively commercialize products from this technology in collaboration with the American Red Cross under the trademark Protein Equalizer(TM) beads. "This technology overcomes serious obstacles to the exploration of low abundance proteins caused by the wide dynamic range of protein concentrations in serum and other biological fluids. We believe this innovative approach coupled with our powerful ProteinChip technology will allow us to explore the serum proteome more deeply and potentially discover novel biomarkers of disease as well as drug targets," commented William E. Rich, President and CEO of Ciphergen. The technology uses a combinatorial bead library to differentially concentrate low abundance proteins and dilute high abundance proteins without the need for specific depletion. As a result, the overall diversity of proteome proteins is fully maintained while the concentration range of proteins is significantly equalized. Following this protein equalization process, the proteins can be examined directly or can be subject to further pre-fractionation before analysis. Library bead treatment of serum followed by expression profiling using ProteinChip(R) technology has been shown to provide improved detection of low abundance proteins and increase the number of total proteins detected, both important aspects leading to improved biomarker and drug target discovery. Dr. David Hammond, Executive Director, Plasma Derivatives Services Division at the American Red Cross, stated, "this new protein equalization method brings several orders of magnitude improvement in dynamic range reduction to serum protein research. This technology overcomes many of the problems associated with depletion based techniques such as the use of monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, it greatly enhances our ability to identify new plasma-derived therapies. We are pleased to be working with Ciphergen to make this technology commercially available to research scientists." 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, as well as a broad range of bioseparations media for protein purification and large scale production. 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/. About American Red Cross The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply (collecting more than 6 million units a year from volunteer donors) to patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country through its national network. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. The Red Cross must collect blood donations each and every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and children with blood disorders, and the organization works to accomplish this through its 36 Blood Services regions. Please call today to make your appointment to give the gift of life. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule your donation or to sponsor a blood drive. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross. 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 Protein Equalizer Beads and ProteinChip technology to discover novel biomarkers and potential drug targets and plasma-derived therapies, and the anticipated benefits of Ciphergen's ProteinChip System and diagnostic tests in development. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including our ability to discover biologically significant proteins in the serum proteome using the Protein Equalizer Beads and our ProteinChip technology, our ability to develop novel biomarkers of disease and potential drug targets based on such discoveries into assays or products, and our ability to successfully commercialize any resulting products or services. Investors should consult Ciphergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q dated May 10, 2004, for further information regarding these and other risks of the Company's business. NOTE: Ciphergen, ProteinChip, Biomarker Discovery Center and BioSepra are registered trademarks of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: Sue Carruthers, Investor Relations of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505 2297 Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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