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PerkinElmer Reaches Major Milestone in the Identification of Newborns at Risk for Genetic Disorders

Posted on: Monday, 6 August 2007, 15:24 CDT

PerkinElmer, Inc. (NYSE: PKI), a global technology leader in Health Sciences and Photonics, today announced a major milestone in its global efforts to help identify newborns at risk for genetic disorders. The Company has determined that its neonatal screening technology, utilized in laboratories worldwide for more than 20 years, has helped to identify the 100,000th infant at risk for potentially life-threatening diseases, such as Phenylketonuria (PKU), which can have a positive outcome when intervention begins within the first 24 to 36 hours of life.

"Newborn screening for genetic disorders has become one of the most widely accepted procedures in preventative pediatrics, allowing for the early identification and treatment of otherwise devastating disorders," said Robert F. Friel, President and Chief Operating Officer of PerkinElmer. "PerkinElmer applauds the efforts of its customers in reaching this key milestone, and remains committed to supporting the global expansion of screening programs to save lives and improve the quality of life for infants with identified disorders."

PerkinElmer is one of several organizations to support the 2004 report from the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) that recommends every baby born in the U.S. be screened for at least 29 metabolic and functional disorders, when if detected early, allow for better treatment and management options, leading to an improved quality of life. Through the advocacy of parent groups, healthcare professionals and independent organizations, the standard of care is improving, with the 2007 March of Dimes Newborn Screening Report Card showing that 87.5 percent of babies are born in states that require screening for at least 21 of these disorders, compared to about 38 percent in 2005.

"While we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of serious disorders for which babies in the United States are screened, there is still much room for improvement," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes. "The March of Dimes is extremely appreciative of the efforts of PerkinElmer to help equip laboratories around the country with the tools and support needed to expand their newborn screening programs. Babies must receive this screening to help ensure that they can go on to lead healthy lives."

PerkinElmer is the leading supplier of neonatal screening systems to laboratories, offering the world's first and only tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) kit cleared by the FDA as an aid to screening for inborn errors of metabolism. The Company is helping to drive the advancement of metabolic disease screening with the capability to analyze more than 40 markers with just a few droplets of dried blood.

All of the approximately four million babies that are screened in the U.S. each year have their blood sample processed through a PerkinElmer system. At current rates, PerkinElmer estimates it will help identify 100,000 more infants at risk of severe disorders within the next five to seven years, though continued expansion of testing platforms and increasing legislative support for expanded programs could mean this next milestone will be reached even sooner.

Factors Affecting Future Performance

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements relating to estimates and projections of future earnings per share, cash flow and revenue growth and other financial results, developments relating to our customers and end-markets, and plans concerning business development opportunities. Words such as "believes,""intends,""anticipates,""plans,""expects,""projects,""forecasts,""will" and similar expressions, and references to guidance, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations and no assurances can be given that our assumptions or expectations will prove to be correct. A number of important risk factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation: (1) our failure to introduce new products in a timely manner; (2) our ability to execute acquisitions and license technologies, or to successfully integrate acquired businesses and licensed technologies into our existing business or to make them profitable; (3) our failure to protect adequately our intellectual property; (4) the loss of any of our licenses or licensed rights; (5) our ability to compete effectively; (6) fluctuation in our quarterly operating results and our ability to adjust our operations to address unexpected changes; (7) our ability to produce an adequate quantity of products to meet our customers' demands; (8) our failure to maintain compliance with applicable government regulations; (9) regulatory changes; (10) economic, political and other risks associated with foreign operations; (11) our ability to retain key personnel; (12) restrictions in our credit agreement; (13) our ability to realize the full value of our intangible assets; and (14) other factors which we describe under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

PerkinElmer, Inc. is a global technology leader driving growth and innovation in Health Sciences and Photonics markets to improve the quality of life. The Company reported revenues of $1.55 billion in 2006, has 8,500 employees serving customers in more than 125 countries, and is a component of the S&P 500 Index. Additional information is available through www.perkinelmer.com or 1-877-PKI-NYSE.

Source: Business Wire

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