Cepheid nach News +41,54% !! - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[Informatikus]

Cepheid Announces United States Postal Service (USPS) Biodetection Contract Award to Northrop Grumman

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 19, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Cepheid (Nasdaq: CPHD) today announced that the United States Postal Service (USPS) has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation`s (NYSE: NOC) Security Systems LLC unit a contract to manufacture and integrate Biohazard Detection Systems (BDS) designed to rapidly analyze and detect potential biological threats at Postal Service mail sorting facilities nationwide. Value of the contract is approximately $175M.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor and systems integrator of the BDS, which uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, developed by Cepheid, to rapidly analyze air samples taken from the mail sorting systems and detect trace levels of DNA from anthrax spores and other biological agents as it moves through the mail processing equipment. The BDS incorporates Cepheid`s GeneXpert(R) modules as its detection and identification system and utilizes Cepheid`s patented test cartridges.

Commenting on the program, Cepheid Chairman, Tom Gutshall stated:

"We conceived and developed the GeneXpert system to allow the benefits of what is otherwise complex genetic testing to be realized in virtually any setting. It is gratifying to see the full benefit of the system being realized in meeting the demanding and unique needs of the USPS on a totally automated basis. Northrop Grumman has led development of this technologically advanced and effective solution for biothreat detection for postal automation."

Cepheid`s GeneXpert system utilizes the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify and detect target DNA. The system is the first to fully automate and integrate all the steps required for PCR-based DNA testing: sample preparation, DNA amplification and detection. Designed for use by a minimally skilled operator, the system provides PCR test results from a raw sample in 30 minutes or less, enabling time-critical DNA tests at the point of need. Current techniques for accomplishing this same series of procedures require extensive labor by skilled technicians and can take hours to several days to deliver results.

About Cepheid

Cepheid (Nasdaq: CPHD), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of fully integrated systems that enable genetic assessment when and where it is needed. Founded in 1996, the company is commercializing its technology and products world wide for research, medical, and industrial applications requiring assessment of the human genome, infectious disease and biothreat agents. See www.cepheid.com for more information.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not purely historical regarding Cepheid`s or its management`s intentions, beliefs, expectations and strategies for the future, including those relating to the ultimate scope of BDS deployment and the total value of the USPS contract. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from the company`s current expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as those relating to the ability of Northrop Grumman, the USPS and other parties to agree on a final contract that is acceptable to all participants, the timing of actual USPS funding and deployment, and development and manufacturing problems, including with respect to the GeneXpert(R) system and reagents. Readers should also refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Cepheid`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2002 and most recent Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All forward-looking statements and reasons why results might differ included in this release are made as of the date of this press release, based on information currently available to Cepheid, and Cepheid assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement or reasons why results might differ.

At the Company:
John Bishop
CEO, Cepheid
408-541-4191
[e-mail]

John Sluis
CFO, Cepheid
408-541-4191
[e-mail]

At FRB | Weber Shandwick:
Cynthia Martin
Media Contact
312.640.6741
[e-mail]

Kristen McNally
Investor/Analyst Information
310-407-6548
[e-mail]

SOURCE Cepheid

John Bishop, CEO, [e-mail], or John Sluis, CFO,
[e-mail], both of Cepheid, [phone]; or Media, Cynthia Martin,
[phone], [e-mail], or Investor/Analyst Information,
Kristen McNally, [phone], [e-mail], both of
FRB/Weber Shandwick, for Cepheid

http://www.cepheid.com


Copyright (C) 2003 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

[serafino]

HI IMFOR.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CPHD wird bald bis auf 25USD marschieren ! ciao