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Pacific Biometrics, Inc. Awarded Research Contract to Support Major NIH/NIA Study on Human Aging

Posted on: Friday, 6 April 2007, 09:00 CDT

Pacific Biometrics, Inc. (OTCBB:PBME) ("PBI") has been awarded a contract to provide specialty laboratory testing services for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). These testing services are in support of a major long-term clinical study that is being conducted by the NIA, known as the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). The BLSA is a multidisciplinary observational study of the physiological and psychological aspects of human aging and diseases and conditions that increase with age. Information from the BLSA is expected to define strategies to improve quality of life in old age and prevent and delay loss of independence.

PBI will provide the NIA with a series of tests for hormones and inflammatory and bone markers relevant to the BLSA study. The study has already been in progress for several decades and is expected to continue for a further 30 years before completion. Under the contract, PBI will perform testing on batches of archived samples immediately, followed by continued testing on an annual basis, potentially for up to 30 years, pending continued federal funding and approval.

Ron Helm, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Biometrics, commented, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the NIH and the NIA on this landmark study of human aging, which is expected to make a major contribution to our understanding of the aging process. The BLSA is a major federally funded study that is bringing a rigorous scientific approach to the study of aging, and many believe it will have an impact similar to the Framingham Heart Study and the Women's Health Initiative. At PBI, we focus on therapeutic areas related to chronic diseases of aging, such as dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, osteoporosis and arthritis, and therefore we are ideally positioned to support studies such as the BLSA."

Helm continued, "As this contract indicates, our expertise across multiple categories of biomarkers offers Pacific Biometrics a competitive advantage that we believe will enable us to pursue a growing number of opportunities going forward. Our reputation for providing accurate, reliable analyses and responsive services continues to strengthen our prospects for future business."

About Pacific Biometrics, Inc. (PBI)

Established in 1989, PBI provides specialized central laboratory and contract research services to support pharmaceutical and diagnostic manufacturers conducting human clinical trial research. The company provides expert services in the areas of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, and nutrition. The PBI laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, and through its non-profit affiliate Pacific Biometrics Research Foundation, is one of only three U.S.-based members of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Cholesterol Reference Method Laboratory Network. PBI's clients include many of the world's largest pharmaceutical, biotech, and diagnostic companies.

Pacific Biometrics also owns several patented and patent-pending technologies, including monitoring devices for glucose and changes in bone turnover, an advanced proprietary isothermal DNA amplification technology, and a gene-based cell viability technology to distinguish live from dead cells in a broad range of diagnostic applications.

For more information about Pacific Biometrics, visit the company's web site at www.pacbio.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the revenues that we may receive under the contract, the duration, size and scope of the contract, our strategic planning and business development plans, our future growth, and the viability and acceptance of our products and services in the market. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, our ability to bid on and win laboratory services contracts, the success of our marketing and business development efforts, competition in the industry, and our ability to manage growth, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2006, and our Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended December 31, 2006).

Source: Business Wire

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