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Chemicon International, Inc. Enters into License Agreement With RheoGene, Inc. To Commercialize Research Products Utilizing RheoSwitch(R) Inducible Gene Regulation Technology

Posted on: Monday, 28 November 2005, 09:00 CST

Serologicals Corporation (NASDAQ: SERO) announced today that Chemicon International, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary based in Temecula, CA, and RheoGene, Inc. (Norristown, PA) have signed a semi-exclusive license to use RheoGene's RheoSwitch(R) System and related technologies within Chemicon's research product lines focused on specialty research markets, including Chemicon's growing stem cell biology portfolio of products.

Through this agreement, Chemicon accesses the innovative RheoSwitch(R) technology that regulates the timing and level of gene expression in all types of eucaryotic cells through the interaction of RheoGene's proprietary ecdysone-based receptors and proprietary small molecule ligands, which will be supplied under the agreement. Chemicon will apply this technology both to generic cloning and expression reagents and to important genes involved in cell differentiation and development.

"Chemicon is looking forward to adding the RheoSwitch(R) technology to our product development capabilities," said Jeffrey D. Linton, President of Chemicon. "The new products that will be developed with this technology will greatly enhance our expanding portfolio of innovative tools for stem cell research."

"We are pleased to bring RheoSwitch(R) gene regulation technology into Chemicon's research products and services business," said Thomas Tillett, RheoGene President and CEO. "RheoSwitch(R) technology will enable Chemicon to provide its customers with a broad range of proprietary cell-based gene regulation products in their specialty research markets. We are excited about the potential for Chemicon to add RheoSwitch(R) products for regulated gene expression and directed differentiation in pleuripotent and somatic stem cells to its rapidly growing stem cell biology portfolio."

This licensing agreement reflects the alignment of both organizations in their objectives to enhance the growth of their respective technology positions in the stem cell field by offering high quality products and services that advance the state of the art in their respective business sectors, Chemicon in bringing high-value specialty products to the research market, and RheoGene in developing regulated stem cell-based therapies for treatment of human diseases.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Chemicon International, Inc. offers a broad range of research products, including specialty reagents, kits, antibodies, and custom products and services, to customers working in the areas of neuroscience, stem cell biology, cancer, and infectious disease research. It is also a leading supplier of monoclonal antibodies, conjugates, antibody blends and molecular-based detection kits for use in diagnostic laboratories. Chemicon focuses on basic and biomedical research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, allowing it to serve thousands of customers worldwide in the academic, clinical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors. Acquired in 2003, Chemicon is a Serologicals company, based in Temecula, CA.

For more information, please visit our website: www.chemicon.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

RheoGene is dedicated to unlocking the power of cell and gene therapy(TM). RheoGene's proprietary RheoSwitch(R) Therapeutic System (RTS) and DirectIt(TM) recombinase platforms are the keys to safe, targeted and regulated cell and gene therapies that deliver the right dose - to the right place - at the right time. RheoGene also provides customized RheoSwitch(TM) inducible gene expression and AttSite(TM) recombinase products for pharmaceutical discovery and development and biotherapeutics production. RheoGene Inc. is a wholly owned affiliate of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with operations in Norristown PA and Pittsburgh PA.

For more information, visit www.rheogene.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" or 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, the value of the licensed research tools and the utility of the licensed research tools to researchers. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, since the statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements based on events that may occur after the date of this press release.

Serologicals is a registered trademark of Serologicals Royalty Company.

Source: Business Wire

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