Fisher HealthCare to Distribute Nanogen Real-Time PCR Products to Clinical Laboratories

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 9  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nanogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:NGEN), developer of advanced diagnostic products, announced today that Fisher HealthCare, Inc., a unit of Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE:FSH), will become the exclusive distributor of Nanogen's MGB Alert(TM) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in the United States.  Fisher will have exclusive rights to sell and distribute the products to clinical laboratories.  The companies expect that customers will be able to access the Nanogen products through Fisher in September.

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The real-time PCR analyte specific reagents (ASRs) consist of a growing line of 12 products, including reagents designed to detect sequences associated with specific pathogens such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) and a number of other infectious agents.  ASRs are used by CLIA-certified clinical laboratories or those regulated under VHA Directive 1106 to perform high complexity testing.  The products will retain the Nanogen MGB Alert(TM) brand and will continue to be supported by Nanogen's strong technical support team.

"Fisher's extensive sales and distribution networks will allow more customers convenient access to our extensive PCR real-time product line," said Howard C. Birndorf, chairman and CEO of Nanogen.  "We expect the expanded resources to begin making a positive impact on revenues in the coming quarters."

The molecular diagnostics market is currently approximately $1.5 billion and is estimated to exceed $3.6 billion in 2010, according to the 2005 Frost & Sullivan report, Global IVD Market Outlook.

MGB Alert products utilize patented detection chemistry that enables laboratories to develop multiple assays with universal parameters, increasing the efficiency and throughput of clinical testing.  The super bases (Super A(TM), Super T(TM), Super G(TM) and Super N(TM)) and minor groove binder (MGB) technology allow the use of shorter probes with increased sensitivity to mismatches, which have proved essential for detecting short, conserved sequences.

About Nanogen, Inc.

Nanogen's advanced technologies provide researchers, clinicians and physicians worldwide with improved methods and tools to predict, diagnose, and ultimately help treat disease.  The company's products include real-time PCR reagents, the NanoChip(R) electronic microarray platform and a line of rapid diagnostic tests.  Nanogen's ten years of pioneering research involving nanotechnology holds the promise of miniaturization and continues to be supported for its potential for diagnostic and biodefense applications.  For additional information please visit Nanogen's website at http://www.nanogen.com/.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including whether the market for molecular diagnostics technologies and products will further develop, and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the caption "Factors That May Affect Results" and elsewhere in Nanogen's Form 10-K or Form 10-Q most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof.  Nanogen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. 

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DATASOURCE: Nanogen, Inc.



CONTACT:  Robert Saltmarsh, Chief Financial Officer, [phone], or

Suzanne Clancy, Corporate Communications, [phone],

, both of Nanogen, Inc.; or Media & Investor Relations,

Carolyn Hawley of Porter Novelli Life Sciences, [phone],

, for Nanogen, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.nanogen.com/ 

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