MARGATE, N.J., Feb. 23, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- GeneLink, Inc. (OTCBB:GNLK) and Arch Personal Care Products, L.P., a unit of Arch Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:ARJ) announced today that Dr. Vince Gruber, Director of Research, Arch Personal Care, presented details for their new category of Genetic Skin Care formulations containing active skin care ingredients linked to GeneLink's Dermagenetics(tm) testing system. GeneLink and Arch are now offering these new formulations to leading marketers and manufacturers of skin care products to create the most effective customized skin cream products available for sale to the public. The 2004 International Cosmetics Expo Conference was held in Miami, Florida February 9-11.
GeneLink and Arch Personal Care Products began collaborating on the development "genetically guided" skin-care formulations linked to GeneLink's personalized skin-testing system in late 2001. Recently developed formulations feature a family of active ingredients known as "SNP-Derms(tm)" designed to address some of the key, individual genetic characteristics that can accelerate skin aging, skin wrinkling and other specific oxidative stress deficiencies in the skin. The SNP-Derm(tm) formulations are exclusively offered in combination with GeneLink's Dermagenetics(tm) Profile Assessment that provides a key measure to pinpointing where deficiencies occur in a person's resistance to skin aging, skin irritation and tissue breakdown, which will make the most effective customized skin cream product available to the public.
"The consumer increasingly wants the latest in personal care products to make them feel and look younger and healthier. This breakthrough technology will certainly accomplish this," says John DePhillipo, GeneLink's CEO. "We are very excited to combine GeneLink's scientific resources with Arch Personal Care Products' expertise enabling us to offer this remarkable new technology to manufacturers that will ultimately bring skin and face cream products to a ready marketplace."
"Arch Personal Care Products sees a significant future opportunity in customized, genetic profile-based cosmetics," says Andy Banham, Business Director. "We see the mapping of the human genome as a starting point for true customization of cosmetic and personal care products, and we're excited to be working closely with GeneLink who we believe has pioneered a test that will allow this technology to be marketed to consumers in a meaningful way. We have worked for over two years to develop new ingredients targeted at the specific stress weaknesses characterized by the genetic markers that can be identified by the GeneLink test. The SNP-Derm(tm) ingredients will be offered to cosmetic industry marketers and manufacturers, along with GeneLink's test, as a means to accelerate their entrance into what appears to be a promising, newly emerging consumer market."
Arch Personal Care Products, L.P., a business unit within the Treatment Products business segment of Arch Chemicals, Inc., sells active ingredients to both the skin and hair care segments of the cosmetic and toiletries industries. Additional information about the Arch Personal Care Business can be found at its Web site at www.archpersonalcare.com. Headquartered in Norwalk, CT, Arch Chemicals is a global specialty chemicals company with approximately $1 billion in annual sales. Together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, Arch has more than 3,000 employees and manufacturing facilities in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Arch and its subsidiaries have leadership positions in four key segments -- Microelectronic Materials, Treatment Products, Performance Products and Other Specialty Products -- and serve world leaders in these markets with forward-looking solutions to meet their chemical needs.
GeneLink, Inc., since 1994, developed the World's First Family Centered DNA Bank and Hereditary Genetic Information Service. The company is a pioneer and leading provider of DNA tests created to facilitate "genetically guided" health, beauty and wellness products. The company both markets and licenses its proprietary tests to the $1.4 trillion cosmetics, nutritional supplement and healthcare industries. For more information about GeneLink, visit its Web site at www.genelink.info.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the exception of historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in the press release involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. GNLK disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.