MicroBioLogics, Inc. Joins ATCC Proficiency Standard® Program

Business Wire, August 5, 2008

MANASSAS, Va. -- ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) today announced that the Saint Cloud, Minnesota based MicroBioLogics, Inc. has joined the ATCC Proficiency Standard Program.

MicroBioLogics, a leading manufacturer of quality control microbiology products, will use highly tested reference strains from ATCC in the proficiency test panels it provides to its customers worldwide.

ATCC developed the Proficiency Standard Program to provide authenticated microorganisms and other biological materials for use in the manufacture of laboratory proficiency test panels.

"A successful qualified, proven proficiency testing program begins with reference strains that are defined to the genus and species level. Adding MicroBioLogics to the ATCC Proficiency Standard Program underscores the importance of quality samples for proficiency testing," said Liz Kerrigan, ATCC's Director of Standards and Certification in Microbiology, Biodefense and Emerging Infections. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with MicroBioLogics. Both organizations are committed to ensuring that the global community has access to the highest quality materials for proficiency testing."

Launched in October 2006, the ATCC Proficiency Standard Program improves the laboratory proficiency testing (PT) system by raising the quality and consistency of the microorganisms and biological materials used in PT samples. In addition, the program improves laboratory safety by working with PT providers and manufacturers to qualify microorganisms for biosafety level before being included in a PT panel and providing traceability of the PT sample materials. ATCC proficiency test standard materials are produced specifically for the purpose of inclusion in proficiency test panels. They are tested for confirmation of identity, viability and purity, and each vial of material is individually labeled to allow full traceability from production to end-use.

"Successful performance in an external PT program is a key indicator of high laboratory quality," said Robert C. Coborn, MicroBioLogics' CEO. "ATCC contributes to valid PT programs by ensuring the authenticity of the sample materials."

The ATCC Proficiency Standard Program is available to proficiency test providers and manufacturers throughout the United States. For more information, please visit the standards page at www.atcc.org or email standards@atcc.org.

About ATCC

ATCC is the world's largest biological resource center and the most comprehensive source of reference cultures and reagents used by researchers in academic and industry laboratories. Since 1925, ATCC has set the standard for the authentication and global distribution of biological reference materials for life science research in the public and private sector. ATCC is ISO 9001:2000 certified. ISO 9001:2000 is a widely known multi-industry international standard for quality management systems. ATCC has also achieved ISO Guide 34:2000 accreditation for its biological material production and testing processes. ISO Guide 34:2000 is an international multi-industry standard specifically designed for producers of reference materials. The scope of ATCC's ISO Guide 34 accreditation, which extends across a wide range of the organization's processes for biomaterial production, is unprecedented in the biological sciences. www.atcc.org.

About MicroBioLogics, Inc.

MicroBioLogics, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of lyophilized microorganisms for quality control in microbiology laboratories world-wide specializing in clinical, industrial, food quality, environmental and educational markets. Headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the company has been providing laboratories across the globe with reference stock cultures and enumerated microorganism preparations of the highest quality for more than 35 years. As veterans of the industry they have achieved accreditation in accordance with ISO 17025:2005, ISO 9001:2000 certification, CE Mark Conformity, and are an FDA registered company. MicroBioLogics currently has more than 130 international distribution partners in over 100 countries. www.microbiologics.com.