LI-COR and MWG-Biotech End Agreement

Instrument Business Outlook, Feb 28, 2001

Lincoln, NB and Ebersberg, Germany 2/19/01--MWG-Biotech AG will end its nine-year distribution, support and service of LI-COR Biosciences' DNA sequencing instruments on December 31, 2001. However, MWG-Biotech will continue to distribute LI-COR's IRDye labeled custom primers. LI-COR GmbH will transition into the selling of its DNA sequencers by selling them along with MWG-Biotech in July of this year. Currently, LI-COR GmbH sells LI-COR's Odyssey infrared imaging systems in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and the UK.

It seems these companies have outgrown their distribution pact. LI-COR has the ability to now compete in Europe with its own distribution apparatus. MWG-Biotech will benefit by being able to concentrate its resources on its own products, as the company recently announced slower than expected business growth for 2000.