Takara Bio, Inc. (Shiga, Japan) today announced that it has granted New England Biolabs Inc. (NEB) a worldwide non-exclusive license to make, use and sell LA-PCR related products. Including NEB, the company has eighteen (18) licensees of its LA-PCR technology worldwide. Financial terms of the license were not disclosed.

LA-PCR Technology, invented by Dr. Wayne M. Barnes, is a breakthrough in PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology that expands its capability and heightens its application potential considerably. LA-PCR technology overcomes the disadvantages and defects of conventional PCR by enabling high-yield amplification of long and complex DNA fragments from genomic DNA. More importantly for the molecular researcher, DNA molecules produced with LA-PCR Technology have significantly fewer mutations than those made using conventional PCR.

The company entered into a Patent Assignment Agreement with Dr. Barnes in April 1996 and acquired all of Dr. Barnes' right, title and interest in and to the patents relating to LA technology. The company continues to promote licensing of this technology as well as sales of its own products worldwide.

About Takara Bio Inc.
Takara Bio Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company based in Shiga, Japan. As a world leader in biotechnology research and development, Takara Bio was the first company to market PCR technology in Japan and is also the developer of the RetroNectin reagent, which is a world-standard in gene therapy protocols. In addition to providing research reagents and equipment to the life science research market, Takara Bio has active research and product development activities in the fields of gene and cell-based therapy, and agricultural biotechnology; and is committed preventing disease and improving the quality of life for all people through the use of biotechnology. Through strategic alliances with other industry leaders, the Company aims to extend its reach around the world. More information is available at http://www.takara-bio.com.

New England Biolabs Inc. leads the industry in the discovery and production of enzymes for life science applications. Established in the mid-1970's, New England Biolabs now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for DNA work, genomics and proteomics. NEB also supplies protein expression systems, competent cells and transfection reagents. New England Biolabs is a privately held company headquartered in Ipswich, MA and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and four subsidiaries located in Canada, China, Germany and the UK. For more information about New England Biolabs visit www.neb.com.

For more information:
Corporate Communications
Takara Bio Inc.
E-mail: bio-ir@takara-bio.co.jp

This article is translated from press release in Japanese for your convenience.

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