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RoboDesign's CrystalMation™ Technology to be Integrated at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in France

RoboDesign's CrystalMation™ Technology to be Integrated at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in France

Carlsbad, CA — May 18, 2004. RoboDesign International, Inc., through its worldwide marketing partner, Rigaku announced that the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), has chosen the Minstrel HT and RoboIncubator, components of the CrystalMation™ system, as their platform for protein crystal imaging and analysis. CrystalMation, a fully modular and automated protein crystallization platform, includes equipment for liquid handling, low volume dispense, imaging, storage and analysis.

At the core of the CrystalMation technology is the Minstrel HT, an ultra-high resolution imaging system that can quickly and consistently image hanging, sitting, or microbatch drops in any plate type. As with all of the CrystalMation modules, the Minstrel HT was designed to be expandable and modular. It's capable of being expanded with a wide array of software tools and multiple RoboIncubators, a temperature controlled plate storage and retrieval system. Delivery of the machines to EMBL's Grenoble, France facility is scheduled for June 2004.

"We are thrilled for the opportunity to have our instruments aiding in the study of protein structures at EMBL," stated Robert L. Corey, president and CEO of RoboDesign. "EMBL requires a protein crystal imaging and analysis system that can achieve their demanding requirements for performance and reliability, and their decision to implement our CrystalMation components further validates our technology as a leading protein crystallization platform."

About EMBL

EMBL was founded with a four-fold mission: to conduct basic research in molecular biology, to provide essential services to scientists in its Member States, to provide high-level training to its staff, students, and visitors, and to develop new instrumentation for biological research. EMBL's great accomplishments are ascribed to its achievement in a critical mass of services and facilities that are driven by cutting-edge biological research, and because it regards education at all levels, as a way of life.

About RoboDesign® International, Inc.

RoboDesign International, Inc. is the premier source for development, design, and manufacture of automation solutions and instrumentation for the life sciences industry. RoboDesign offers standard as well as custom products for drug discovery and laboratory and hospital automation. With its broad range of technical expertise, RoboDesign is uniquely positioned to provide a wide array of engineering services, from rapid prototyping to OEM design and manufacturing. From fully automated pharmacy systems to protein crystal imaging and analysis, RoboDesign's enabling technologies are playing a vital role in all phases of the fight against disease.

Rigaku—Leading With Innovation

Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its subsidiaries form a global group focused on life sciences and general purpose analytical instrumentation. With hundreds of major innovations to their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in the fields of small molecule and protein crystallography, X-ray spectrometry and diffraction, X-ray optics, as well as semiconductor metrology. Rigaku employs over 1,100 people in the manufacture and support of its analytical equipment. Its products are in use in more than 70 countries—supporting research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation within the global scientific and industrial community.

For further information, contact:

Joseph D. Ferrara, Ph.D.
VP Product Marketing and CSO
Rigaku Americas Corporation
Tel: (281) 362-2300
eMail: Joseph D. Ferrara