PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2005--Agilent
Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced plans to introduce its DNA
microarray-based genomics solutions into India's growing life sciences
market. Agilent currently sells technologies for the chemical,
environmental and pharmaceutical manufacturing markets in India, and
is a biotech leader there. The company expects to expand its presence
into industries such as medical research, drug discovery and
agro-biotech.
"Agilent's Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis business had
double-digit growth in India last year, driven by the country's
booming biotechnology, agriculture, information technology and
pharmaceuticals industries," said Sanjeev Dhar, country manager for
the LSCA business in India. "India is now LSCA's fourth-largest
country of business in Asia, and one of the fastest-growing. We expect
this growth to continue as we launch our industry-leading solutions
for the life sciences sector into areas such as genomics and
proteomics research."
The Indian microarray market is estimated to grow by approximately
70 percent in 2005, according to genomics and bioinformatics company
Genotypic.
Agilent's life science technologies address demand from
government-funded research institutions and pharmaceutical companies
-- a demand expected to be fueled by the Indian government's Draft
National Biotechnology Policy. The strategy focuses on using
biotechnology as a tool to improve quality of life and aims to
position India as a worldwide hub for biotechnology research. A
government-supported infrastructure is expected to stimulate research
in areas such as genomics, stem cells, molecular medicine, metabolic
engineering and cell biology.
"Growth in sectors like biopharmaceuticals, contract research
bioservices, agriculture, genetic engineering and molecular medicine
will drive growth for analytical instrumentation," Dhar said.
Agilent's initial plans focus on introducing its DNA
microarray-based genomics solutions, which improve the productivity of
gene-expression and genomics research. Also known as DNA chips or
biochips, microarrays are small pieces of glass dotted with thousands
of strands of DNA, each of which corresponds to a specific gene in the
genome. In a single experiment, microarrays can measure genome-wide
differences between diseased and healthy cells.
Key applications of Agilent's microarray-based solutions include:
-- Gene expression -- scanning for differences in gene expression
or gene activity between healthy and diseased cells.
-- Toxicogenomics -- identifying the changes in gene activity
that occur in response to exposure to a toxin or drug.
-- Comparative genomic hybridization -- studying the chromosomal
changes that frequently occur in cancer cells, including the
loss or duplication of regions of chromosomal DNA.
-- Agro-biotech -- identifying genes in plants that correspond to
survival traits that could improve crop development.
Agilent will participate April 22-24 in Bangalore Bio, India's
largest biotechnology event, at which more than 25 countries will be
represented. There, the company will present more information about
the products that further these important fields of research.
About Agilent Integrated Biology Solutions
Agilent Technologies is a leading supplier of life science
research systems that enable scientists to understand complex
biological processes, determine disease mechanisms and speed drug
discovery. Engineered for sensitivity, reproducibility and workflow
productivity, Agilent's integrated biology solutions include
instrumentation, microfluidics, software, microarrays, consumables and
services for genomics, proteomics and metabolomics applications.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader
in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis.
The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110
countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year
2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at
www.agilent.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined
in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe
harbors created therein. The forward-looking statements contained
herein include, but are not limited to, information regarding new
product introductions, the markets served by Agilent and Agilent's
growth in India, that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
Agilent's results to differ materially from management's current
expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to competitive factors, risks related to changes in industry
demand and risks related to changes in local conditions in India.
In addition, other risks that Agilent faces in running its
operations include the ability to meet and achieve the benefits of its
cost-reduction goals and otherwise successfully adapt its cost
structures to continuing changes in business conditions; ongoing
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cost-cutting initiatives will impair our ability to develop products
and remain competitive and to operate effectively; the impact of
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business; the ability to improve asset performance to adapt to changes
in demand; the ability to successfully introduce new products at the
right time, price and mix and other risks detailed in Agilent's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2004, and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 25, 2005.
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of
Agilent's management and on currently available information. Agilent
undertakes no responsibility to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement.
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can be accessed on the Agilent Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis
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CONTACT: Agilent Technologies Inc.
Sui-Ching Low, +65 6215 4463
sui-ching_low@agilent.com
SOURCE: Agilent Technologies Inc.