Agilent Technologies Completes Large-Scale Expansion of Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Capacity

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced that a major expansion of its Nucleic Acids Solutions Division (NASD) is complete, enabling the company to manufacture several hundred kilograms of therapeutic oligonucleotides per year. This production capacity allows Agilent to meet customers’ supply needs from preclinical and clinical studies through commercial launch.

Oligonucleotide therapeutics is one of the fastest growing segments in drug development, and NASD’s products are used by biopharmaceutical companies at all stages of drug development. NASD now offers a full range of manufacturing capacities for flexible, cost-efficient production from grams to hundreds of kilograms of oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This is the second manufacturing expansion of the Boulder, Colo., facility since Agilent purchased the business in 2006, and involves the addition of large scale nucleic acid synthesis, purification and drying capacity.

“We now have the ability to meet our customers’ growing needs with facilities, equipment and expertise across a broad range of nucleic acid APIs,” said James Powell, NASD general manager.

Agilent’s capacity expansion features the addition of a 1 mol synthesizer capable of producing kilo quantities of API per synthesis batch. Equivalent downstream processing including chromatography, ultrafiltration and lyophilization has also been installed. Corresponding infrastructure and reaction vessels were added for custom conjugation chemistries and duplex annealing of siRNAs -- addressing the fastest growth segment of the oligonucleotide market.

To learn more, please visit Agilent at booths 418/420 at the TIDES Conference at Red Rock Resort and Spa, Las Vegas, Nev., May 17-20.

About Agilent in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics

Agilent, through its Nucleic Acid Solutions Division, is a leading provider of therapeutic nucleic acid development services and manufacturing solutions for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. The division operates a 33,500 square foot GMP nucleic acid API contract manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colo. The state-of-the-art facility is capable of manufacturing hundreds of kilos of therapeutic nucleic acid API annually. The broad expertise of a world-class team of employees enables the division to manufacture a wide range of nucleic acid therapeutics, including phosphorothioates, mixed PO/PSs, aptamers, conjugated aptamers, and siRNA. Agilent also offers an array of turnkey services, including development of analytical methods and processes, stability studies, and regulatory support. Information about Agilent’s Nucleic Acid Solutions Division is available at www.agilent.com/chem/nucleicacid.
About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.8 billion in fiscal 2008. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.