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Tuberculosis Identification System from Agilent Technologies and MIDI, Inc. Receives FDA Clearance

Business Wire, Jan 15, 2003

Business Editors & High-Tech/Medical Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif. & NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2003

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) and MIDI, Inc. today announced FDA 510(k) clearance for the MIDI Sherlock(R) Mycobacteria Identification System, used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB).

According to the World Health Organization, TB causes more than two million deaths annually, and one in every three people has a latent form of the disease. A critical element in preventing the spread of the disease is to accurately identify and treat new active cases as soon as possible.

"Rapid and accurate laboratory identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patient specimens is crucial for proper patient management and is essential in order to break the chain of person-to-person transmission of the disease," said Kenneth C. Jost, Jr., supervisor with the Texas Department of Health Mycobacteriology Laboratory. "The Sherlock Mycobacteria Identification System has proven to be an effective diagnostic for accomplishing this goal."

The Sherlock system uses the Agilent 1100 Series High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) to analyze mycolic acids derived from cultured bacterial samples. HPLC is a technology used to separate, identify, purify and quantify compounds. In one simple step, Sherlock analyzes the mycolic acids in the bacterial sample, then searches its library of reference mycobacteria using pattern recognition software.

The Sherlock software automates liquid chromatography with the Agilent 1100 Series HPLC, making the system easy to use and maintain. A low cost per sample allows for more routine screening of TB in those regions of the world that have the highest incidences of this disease.

More information about the Sherlock Mycobacteria Identification System is available at www.midi-inc.com/pages/tuberculosis.html.> About MIDI, Inc.

Founded in 1985 by Dr. Myron Sasser, MIDI, Inc. is a biotech company located in Newark, Del. MIDI develops, manufactures and sells microbial identification solutions worldwide. The Sherlock(R) family of solutions identify bacteria (including bioterrorism agents) and yeast based on chromatographic analysis of cellular fatty acids. As an Agilent Technologies Premier Channel Partner, MIDI is able to offer customers the complete hardware and software package. Information on MIDI, Inc. is available on the web at www.midi-inc.com.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 36,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

Sherlock is a U.S. registered trademark of MIDI, Inc.

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