FOSTER CITY, Calif. and TORONTO--(BW HealthWire)--May 24, 2002--
Applied Biosystems, an Applera Corporation business, and
MDS Inc. (TSE:MDS - NYSE: MDZ), together with their Applied
Biosystems/MDS Sciex Instruments partnership, today announced that
Federal District Court Judge Roderick R. McKelvie in Wilmington, DE
denied motions filed by Micromass U.K. Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary,
Micromass, Inc., both divisions of Waters Corporation, to set aside
the $47.5 million jury verdict reached on March 15, 2002. An
additional award of $5.1 million in pre-judgment interest was also
ordered, bringing total damages assessed against Micromass to $52.6
million.
The Court also entered a permanent injunction that prevents the
sale or importation into the U.S. of Micromass Quattro Ultima(TM)
systems, including the MassTRANSIT(TM) version introduced in March
2001. These products were found to infringe U.S. Patent No. 4,963,736,
covering certain aspects of quadrupole mass spectrometer technology.
The lawsuit was originally filed on February 18, 2000.
About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems
Applera Corporation comprises two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems
Group develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software, and
contract services to the life science industry and research community. Customers
use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and
proteins to make scientific discoveries, leading to the development of new pharmaceuticals,
and to conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in
Foster City, Calif., and reported sales of $1.6 billion during fiscal 2001.
The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), located in Rockville, MD and South San
Francisco, CA, is engaged principally in integrating advanced technologies to
discover and develop new therapeutics. Celera intends to leverage its genomic
and proteomic technology platforms to identify drug targets and diagnostic marker
candidates and to discover novel therapeutics. Its Celera Discovery System(TM)
online platform, to be marketed exclusively through the Knowledge Business of
Applied Biosystems, is an integrated source of information based on the human
genome and other biological and medical sources. Celera Diagnostics, a joint
venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery,
development, and commercialization of novel diagnostics tests. Information about
Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the World Wide
Web at www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800/762-6923. Information about Applied
Biosystems is available on the World Wide Web at www.appliedbiosystems.com.
About MDS Sciex and MDS Inc.
MDS Sciex is the analytical instrumentation division of MDS Inc. (NYSE:MDZ;
TSE:MDS) MDS Inc. is an international health and life sciences company with
revenues of $1.6B in 2001. Its products and services include: laboratory testing,
imaging agents for nuclear medicine testing, sterilization systems for medical
and consumer products, research and clinical development services for planning
and delivery of cancer treatment, analytical instruments to assist in the development
of new drugs, and medical/surgical supplies. MDS employs more than 10,000 highly
skilled people at its global operations on four continents. Detailed information
about the company is available at the MDS Web site at www.mdsintl.com.
Note to Editors: Applied Biosystems, Celera, Celera Diagnostics
and Celera Genomics are registered trademarks of Applera Corporation
or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and certain other countries.
Contact:
Applied Biosystems
Lori Murray, 650/638-6130 (Media)
murrayla@appliedbiosystems.com
Linda Greub, 650/554-2349 (Investors)
greublm@appliedbiosystems.com
David Speechly, Ph.D., (+) 44-207-868-1642
(European Media & Investors)
speechdp@eur.appliedbiosystems.com
or
MDS Inc.
Sharon Mathers, 416/213-4721
smathers@mdsintl.com
