InVitro International and Xenometrix form strategic alliance; Companies sign cooperative marketing and sales agreement

Business Wire, Feb 22, 1995

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 1995--InVitro International (NASDAQ:INVI), a pioneer in the field of "in vitro" irritation assay systems, Wednesday announced that the Company and Xenometrix, a privately-held, biotechnology firm specializing in the new field of molecular toxicology, have signed a cooperative marketing and sales agreement.

Xenometrix produces a battery of "in vitro" assays that provide powerful insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the toxicity of chemical compounds by combining the most recent advances in molecular biology and toxicology.

The Xenometrix product line consists of two core technologies: the Genotoxicity Assay System, which includes Ames II, a new version of the original Ames assay used to measure mutagenicity, or carcinogens, known to cause cancer; and the Stress Gene Assay System, which includes Pro-Tox (E), an assay designed to detect environmental damage such as soil and water contamination.

Both InVitro and Xenometrix assays allow for quicker determination and assessment of toxic levels of substances on humans and the environment -- an approach that saves customers significant amounts of time and money.

"We are very excited about the potential benefits that InVitro and Xenometrix are positioned to reap as a result of this partnering," stated Rich Ulmer, president and CEO for InVitro International. "These benefits include extending our technologies with the ultimate goal of mutually increasing sales revenues; building a database together for future reference and use with customers; and exchanging information relative to sales opportunities," he continued.

InVitro International will represent Xenometrix products to its served market as part of its Customized Technology Services offerings to InVitro customers. Xenometrix has agreed to represent InVitro products to its owned served market.

Jack Wheeler, vice president of sales and marketing for Xenometrix, sees the collaborative efforts as a positive enhancement and logical evolution to both company product lines, and stated, "InVitro International taps into a similar customer base and has the ability to introduce Xenometrix assays to an even wider audience.

With approximately 120,000 chemicals manufactured worldwide, most of which have never even been tested for toxic potential, Xenometrix and InVitro International will join forces to identify and classify chemicals which pose a health risk or biological threat to humans or the environment."

InVitro International develops and markets its proprietary test kits to evaluate potential product irritation of the skin (SKINTEX(tm)), corrosion of the skin (CORROSITEX(r)), ocular toxicity (EYTEX(r)), and for evaluation of workplace and ecological damage risk potential. These non-animal test kits have proven to be more cost-effective, rapid and consistent methods than live animal testing.

Chemical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household goods, textiles and other manufacturers worldwide use InVitro's test systems for regulatory compliance, product safety assessment, formulation development, quality assurance and raw materials control, as well as for evaluating workplace safety.

Located in Irvine, Calif., the Company distributes its products throughout the United States, Europe and the Pacific Rim.

CONTACT: InVitro International

Cheryl Daniel, 714/851-8356