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Upstate Obtains Rights to Offer Anti-ZAP-70 Monoclonal Antibody for Diagnostic Use; Sales of Key Biomarker for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Expected to Expand

Posted on: Monday, 28 March 2005, 12:00 CST

Serologicals Corporation (NASDAQ: SERO) today announced that Upstate Group, its wholly owned subsidiary, obtained the rights from the University of California to sell the anti-ZAP-70 monoclonal antibody for diagnostic use. Studies show that the levels of expression of the ZAP-70 protein strongly predict the aggressiveness of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

One such study by M. Crespo et al. was published in the May 2003 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine and cited the use of Upstate's anti-ZAP-70, clone 2F3.2, monoclonal antibody. Scientists used anti-ZAP-70 in immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis of samples from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

"Anti-ZAP-70 was formerly only available for research use," said Ian Ratcliffe, president of Upstate. "Since the publication of the New England Journal of Medicine study, we have had multiple customer inquiries about its diagnostic or therapeutic use in humans or animals. The recently obtained rights will allow us to work more closely with diagnostic companies active in cell signaling."

Upstate anticipates significant growth potential from anti-ZAP-70 monoclonal antibody including the development of ZAP-70 diagnostic kits, development of ZAP-70 as a biomarker and the ability to offer GMP approved ZAP-70 quantities. Official rights to sell anti-ZAP-70 monoclonal antibody for diagnostic use were obtained on February 9, 2005 from the University of California.

More information about anti-ZAP-70, clone 2F3.2, is available at http://www.upstate.com/features/zap70.asp or by contacting Upstate Sales Department at 1-800-233-3991.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a cancer involving the lymph system. According to the National Cancer Institute the disease affects about 8,200 Americans each year, occurring most often in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Nearly 5,000 people die each year in the United States from the disease.

Upstate is a leading research discovery provider of the highest quality cell signaling products and services to the life science market. Its customers are biomedical researchers at drug discovery companies and academic institutions in the key disciplines of oncology, immunology, proteomics, cardiology and neurology. Known for its enabling, innovative solutions to help understand the biology of kinases, chromatin, g-proteins and cytokines, Upstate's advanced cell biology tools - drug screening services, enzymes, state specific antibodies, siRNA kits, multiplex assays are used by thousands of customers worldwide, every day to accelerate improving human health. Upstate, a Serologicals company, is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA., with locations in Lake Placid, NY, and Dundee, Scotland.

For more information, please visit our website www.upstate.com.

Serologicals Corporation (NASDAQ: SERO), headquartered in Atlanta, GA., is a global leader in developing and commercializing consumable biological products, enabling technologies and services in support of biological research, drug discovery, and the bioprocessing of life-enhancing products. Our customers include researchers at major life science companies and leading research institutions involved in key disciplines, such as neurology, oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiology, proteomics, infectious diseases, cell signaling and stem cell research. In addition, Serologicals is the world's leading provider of monoclonal antibodies for the blood typing industry.

Serologicals employs a total of more than 1,000 people worldwide in three Serologicals' companies: Chemicon International, headquartered in Temecula, CA., Upstate Group, LLC, headquartered in Charlottesville, VA. and Celliance Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

For more information, please visit our website: www.serologicals.com.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or phrases such as "should result,""are expected to,""we anticipate,""we estimate,""we project" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, our ability to increase the number of kinases that we offer to our screening customers.

Serologicals is a registered trademark of Serologicals Royalty Company.

Source: Business Wire

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