BERLIN, July 21, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Epigenomics' Management Board decided with the approval of the Supervisory Board on July 20, 2006, to increase the signed capital of the company by making partial use of its authorized capital against contribution in kind in the form of 304,791 novel non par value bearer shares issued to Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX), Santa Clara, USA. The receivables contributed are defined by the upfront-payments agreed under the recently closed strategic diagnostics platform alliance. In determining the number of shares to be issued the value of Epigenomics' shares was at EUR 5.22. The share capital of Epigenomics AG will increase by EUR 304,791 from EUR 16,403,178 to EUR 16,707,969 after registration of the capital increase.
The share capital increase is done under exclusion of subscription rights. DZ Bank AG is accompanying the listing of the new shares. The new shares shall entitle the holders to partake in dividends as of January 1, 2006.
By this measure, Epigenomics is planning to further strengthen and expand its relationship with Affymetrix. The move will limit short-term cash burn from the "Powered by Affymetrix" agreement.
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About Epigenomics (Frankfurt:ECX) (Prime Standard Segment)
Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostic company with a focus on the development of novel products for cancer. By detecting and interpreting DNA methylation patterns, Epigenomics' tests can potentially diagnose disease at an early stage and help guide physicians to select an appropriate therapy. Epigenomics collaborates with Roche Diagnostics on the development of several diagnostic products in cancer. The company has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, USA. For more information, please visit our website at www.epigenomics.com.
About "Powered by Affymetrix"
Under the Powered by Affymetrix program, companies license technology from Affymetrix to develop innovative microarray products. This includes the GeneChip(r) System 3000Dx (GCS3000Dx), the first microarray instrumentation system for molecular diagnostic laboratories. The GCS3000Dx has been granted regulatory clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is CE marked in the European Union for in-vitro diagnostic use. The custom-designed technology is being used in many applications, including clinical diagnostics, forensics, animal, industrial, and food testing.
About Affymetrix
Affymetrix scientists invented the world's first high-density microarray in 1989 and began selling the first commercial microarray in 1994. Since then, Affymetrix GeneChip(r) technology has become the industry standard in molecular biology research. Affymetrix technology is used by the world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research institutes. More than 1,400 systems have been installed around the world and nearly 4,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology. Affymetrix' patented photolithographic manufacturing process provides the most information capacity available today on an array, enabling researchers to use a whole-genome approach to analyzing the relationship between genetics and health. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif., and Bedford, Mass. The company maintains important sales and marketing operations in Europe and Asia and has about 1,100 employees worldwide. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit the company's website at www.affymetrix.com.
Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Epigenomics AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Epigenomics AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Epigenomics AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.