Cell Robotics Completes Sale of IVF Technology to Hamilton Thorne Research

Business Wire,  July 5, 2000  

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Business Editors/Health and Medical Writers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BW HealthWire)--July 5, 2000

Hamilton Thorne Research, world's leader in sales of sperm analyzers,

purchases Cell Robotics' In-Vitro Fertilization laser-assisted

hatching technology for cash and 12% continuing royalties

Cell Robotics International, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRII), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical and scientific laser devices, and privately held Hamilton Thorne Research (HTR), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of automated sperm analyzers, announced today that HTR has purchased the In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Technology for the laser-assisted hatching of fertilized human ova developed by Cell Robotics.

Terms of the purchase include a $100,000 payment and a continuing 12% royalty stream.

Hamilton Thorne Research, based in Beverly, Massachusetts, the world leader in manufacturing and marketing automated sperm analyzers, has launched an aggressive marketing and sales campaign promoting the IVF technology. Hamilton Thorne Research can now combine the marketing and sales of its sperm-analysis technology with the CRII-purchased laser-assisted hatching technology, to provide state-of-the-art instrumentation to improve pregnancy rates in the growing fertility enhancement market.

Ronald K. Lohrding, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cell Robotics, commented, "Hamilton Thorne Research is a well managed company that has proven its marketing and sales expertise by selling approximately 950 sperm analyzers to fertility and research clinics throughout the world. With this customer base and its international network of distributors, Hamilton Thorne Research is perfectly positioned to accelerate the sales of the IVF Workstation technology. We are delighted that Hamilton Thorne has purchased this technology and has the management, financial and personnel resources needed to be successful in selling the IVF product line. We are pleased to have this royalty payment going to our bottom line, and this sale will allow our staff to focus on the launch of the Personal Lasette, which enables members of the large market for diabetic care devices to draw blood almost painlessly for blood glucose testing."

Meg D. Hamilton, president and chief executive officer of Hamilton Thorne Research, Inc., stated, "We believe this agreement is a win-win situation. Hamilton Thorne is ideally positioned to sell Cell Robotics' IVF laser-assisted hatching technology, because our automated sperm analyzer is sold to the same customer base with a corresponding price range and an equivalent level of technical complexity. Furthermore, Hamilton Thorne is launching a new line of genetic diagnostic products for the IVF world and views Cell Robotics' laser-assisted hatching technology as an excellent complement to our new diagnostic technology offering. We anticipate that Cell Robotics' technology will facilitate the use of our new molecular BEACON diagnostics and bring a new level of automated ease of use in the assisted reproduction clinic. We are also impressed with the level of sophistication and the success that Cell Robotics' IVF technology has experienced in improving pregnancy rates. We believe that with our existing customer base we can quickly expand the laser-assisted hatching market, not only in IVF clinics, but also in our strong market base in animal research and reproductive toxicology." Additional information about Hamilton Thorne Research can be found at http://www.hamiltonthorne.com .

Cell Robotics' IVF Workstation is cleared for marketing and sales in Europe and all other countries that accept the European Community regulatory standards. This includes approximately 100 countries. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet cleared the technology, although clinical trials are underway. Cell Robotics has submitted a request to the FDA to transfer the responsibility for the clinical trial to Hamilton Thorne Research.

In addition to the In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Workstation, Cell Robotics International, Inc. manufactures, markets, and distributes the Lasette, a laser finger perforator, designed to allow diabetics to painlessly draw blood to test their glucose levels, and the Cell Robotics Workstation, a research instrument that incorporates the LaserTweezers(R) and LaserScissors(TM) for manipulating and cutting cells and chromosomes. Additional information is available on the Cell Robotics Web Site at http://www.cellrobotics.com , by e-mail at crii@cellrobotics.com, or by telephone at (505) 343-1131.

As a cautionary note to investors, certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; the Company's ability to execute its service and product sales plans; and the risks described from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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