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Beckman Coulter Partners with R&D Systems to Expand Immunoassay Portfolio FULLERTON,Calif. (October 9, 2003) – Beckman Coulter, Inc. (NYSE:BEC) announced today they have entered into an agreement with R&D Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Techne Corporation (NASDAQ:TECH). Effective immediately, the non-exclusive, multi-year agreement calls for R&D Systems to develop automated cytokine assays and to manufacture assay components designed for Beckman Coulter’s Access® family of immunoassay systems, including the UniCel DxI™ 800 immunoassay system and SYNCHRON LX®i 725 clinical system. New assays are expected to be commercially available beginning in 2004. “Cytokines were an obvious choice for us to pursue as we seek to expand our immunoassay portfolio,” said Michael Whelan, vice president, immunoassay and nucleic acid testing for Beckman Coulter. “Because we maintain a ‘Best of Breed’ philosophy around our assay design, development and manufacture processes, R&D Systems was clearly an excellent partner. Their expertise will be instrumental in our efforts to strengthen our position in the automated immunoassay market.” “We are excited about the opportunity to work with Beckman Coulter,” said Marty Kissil, R&D Systems’ director of business development. “Our combined strengths will provide unique automated cytokine assays, addressing the unmet needs of diagnostic laboratories.” R & D Systems will develop and manufacture immunoassays based on Beckman Coulter’s magnetic particle, chemiluminescent immunoassay technology. The initial focus of the agreement will serve to expand Beckman Coulter’s leadership position in Anemia testing to include Erythropoietin, a principal cytokine factor regulating red blood cell production, and Soluble Transferrin Receptor (STFR), which is considered the best indicator of iron deficiency. Both state-of-the art tests improve the differential diagnosis and management of anemia. Beckman Coulter currently offers a wide array of tests relative to the diagnosis and monitoring of anemia, ranging from complete blood cell count and reticulocyte parameters, which are run on its market leading hematology analyzers, to serum iron, iron binding capacity ferritin, vitamin B12 and folate assays, which are run on its chemistry and immunochemistry analyzers. The addition of new assays for biologicals and cytokines, which control hematopoiesis (the normal formation and development of blood cells in the bone marrow), will further enhance Beckman Coulter’s portfolio of products and expand the diagnostic capabilities of its customers. Cytokines are a vast array of pharmacologically active proteins that are secreted by cells for the purpose of controlling either their own functions or those of adjacent cells. Their role within hematopoietic, inflammatory and immune systems has shown great significance in the development of therapeutic strategies. About R&D Systems About Beckman Coulter # # #
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