WaferGen Announces Kyoto University to Use SmartChip Real-Time PCR System to Identify and Compare Biomarkers to Advance Regenerative Tissue Research

FREMONT, Calif., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: WGBS), a leading developer of state-of-the-art genetic analysis systems, today announced that scientists from Kyoto University will use the WaferGen SmartChip Real-Time PCR System to identify and compare biomarkers to advance their research to regenerate tissues such as bone, cartilage, and muscle, lost or reduced due to various causes.  Kyoto University is one of ten early-access customers using the SmartChip platform to advance research results through the improved discovery and validation of biomarkers enabled by its high-throughput capability.

The researchers at Kyoto University are led by Professor Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Kyoto University's Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), and a recent recipient of both the Imperial Prize as well as the Japan Academy Prize.  They are using the SmartChip platform to better identify and compare biomarkers, important to the clarification of iPS cells.

"We are pleased that a university of the stature of Kyoto -- in existence for more than 100 years with more than 22,000 students today -- has chosen our SmartChip System as part of their ground-breaking research project," said Alnoor Shivji, chairman and CEO, WaferGen.  "By providing both the discovery and validation of biomarkers on one platform, SmartChip enables more extensive gene analysis, a key component in the advancement of important new therapies such as regenerative treatments."

About WaferGen and the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. is a leader in the development, manufacture and sale of state-of-the-art systems for genetic analysis for the life science and pharmaceutical industries.  The company currently offers its innovative fee-based service for gene-expression profiling, while continuing the early commercialization of its SmartChip Real-Time PCR System that is designed as the first whole genome, high-throughput gene expression real-time PCR platform for the gene expression and genotyping markets. The initial product on the SmartChip platform is the proprietary SmartChip Human Oncology Gene Panel that provides pathway based gene expression profiling for Oncology. In addition, the SmartChip Human microRNA Panel provides a comprehensive panel of over 800 microRNAs on a single SmartChip to enable discovery of disease specific microRNAs.

Combined with next-generation chemistry and optimized assays being developed by WaferGen under the guidance of David Gelfand, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and one of the pioneers of PCR, this innovative system promises to deliver significant speed and cost advantages to researchers in the gene expression and genotyping markets.  

Based on collaborations established with leading research institutions, WaferGen believes that the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is positioned as the platform of choice for biomarker discovery and validation. The system will provide a number of key ease-of-use features including content-ready chips with gene panels optimized for microRNA, cancer, and whole genome.  WaferGen believes the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System will be the first platform to combine the high-throughput capability and cost efficiencies of existing microarrays, with the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time PCR.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements".  Such statements include statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip service for gene-expression research, the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip technology to other applications, the expected throughput levels of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System and other statements relating to future events and are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company.  Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that may cause such differences include the risks that: (i) the company may be unsuccessful in commercially developing its products or in achieving market acceptance of new and relatively unproven technologies; (ii) the company will need to raise additional capital to meet its business requirements in the future and the company may not be able to do so on reasonable terms or at all; (iii) the company's proprietary intellectual property rights may not adequately protect its products and technologies; and (iv) the company expects intense competition in its target markets, including from companies that have much greater resources than the company, and there can be no assurance that the company will be able to compete effectively.  More detailed information about the company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Form 10Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  Investors and security holders are urged to read this document free of charge on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.  The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE WaferGen Biosystems, Inc.

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