Agilent Technologies partners with Proteome Systems for glycomics applications, software development

Collaboration to hasten drug & diagnostic marker discovery

SYDNEY, Australia, and PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 3, 2006, Proteome Systems Ltd. (ASX: PXL), the globally recognized discovery, diagnostics and drug development company, and Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced the expansion of their cooperative marketing agreement to develop new workflow solutions for the discovery of diagnostic markers and drug targets by glycomics analysis.

Glycomics is the study of the structure and function of sugars. Many diseases, such as cancer, arthritis and influenza cause changes to the sugars that are attached to proteins. These changes in sugars can serve as highly accurate and powerful diagnostic biomarkers of the diseases.

Proteome Systems will use its globally recognized expertise in biomarker discovery to provide Agilent with glycomics applications and software development for use with Agilent’s mass spectrometer range of instruments. Agilent will provide its new, high-sensitivity HPLC/Chip-based 6240 Ion Trap LC/MS system for the mass spectrometric analysis of protein-associated glycans. An earlier marketing agreement between Proteome Systems and Agilent was announced in April 2005.

“Changes in the glycosylation patterns of proteins in cancers are well-known indicators for the progression of the disease,” said Dr. Nicolle Packer, Proteome Systems’ program leader in cancer proteomics. “Our lead prostate cancer program, in collaboration with U.S.-based Egenix Inc., will benefit enormously from the cooperative technology program with Agilent. We are confident that the glycomics community in general will benefit from the development of new instruments, software and tools. We have successfully worked in this area for many years and are well placed to provide complete analysis solutions to Agilent for this type of discovery application.”

“Agilent aims to develop new LC and LC/MS technologies and workflows for biomarker discovery, glycan and PTM analysis,” said Taia Ergueta, general manager of Agilent’s Proteomics and LC/MS business. “Proteome Systems brings extensive experience in glycomics and glycoprotein-based biomarkers. Together, we’re uniquely poised to develop powerful, novel solutions.”

About Agilent in Mass Spectrometry

Agilent is a leading provider of GC/MS, LC/MS and ICP-MS technologies for organic and inorganic spectroscopy. Among the company’s key products are the 5973 and 5975 inert MSDs, the 7500 Series ICP-MS systems, and the new Agilent 6000 Series LC/MS triple quadrupole, ion trap, time-of-flight and quadrupole time-of-flight instruments. Agilent provides innovative HPLC-Chip/MS technology and the broadest range of ion sources in the industry. As a leader in separations and software, Agilent can address the entire customer workflow from sample introduction through data analysis.
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 20,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $5.1 billion in fiscal 2005. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

About Proteome Systems

Proteome Systems Limited [ASX:PXL] is a dynamic biotechnology company which discovers and develops diagnostics and therapeutic products. The Company has extensive expertise in the discovery and development of protein and glycoprotein biomarkers with a focus on diseases for which there are large global markets and unmet need for diagnostics and drugs such as, respiratory disease, neurobiology, neurodegenerative disease, cancer and infectious diseases. PXL’s scientific leadership is demonstrated by its track record in partnering with leading US and European companies, clinical groups and research institutions to collaborate on its research programmes and develop the outcomes of its research for diagnostic and therapeutic application.

Additional information about Proteome Systems can be found at www.proteomesystems.com.

Contact Information

John Watson

Agilent Technologies Inc.

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