PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 13, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq:ORCH), a leading international provider of identity DNA testing services, today announced it has granted a worldwide license to Illumina, Inc. for the commercial development of Orchid's proprietary single base nucleotide extension technology for the diagnostic and forensic fields.
Under the terms of the license transaction, Orchid receives an upfront fee of $850,000 as well as the potential of an additional $150,000 in contingent milestone payments. Orchid will also collect royalties received by Illumina through any subcontracting arrangements. Additionally, the licensing agreement allows Orchid to purchase certain Illumina product offerings utilizing the patents as a preferred customer. Under the agreement, Orchid Cellmark reserves the rights to use the licensed patents for all fields of use.
"This transaction allows Orchid to work with Illumina to further strengthen our long term competitive position in providing DNA forensic testing services," said Thomas Bologna, president and chief executive officer of Orchid Cellmark. "Orchid's focus is on delivering the highest quality DNA forensic testing services while Illumina is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of next-generation life-science tools."
About Orchid Cellmark
Orchid Cellmark (Nasdaq:ORCH) is a leading international provider of DNA testing services primarily for forensic and family relationship applications. Orchid Cellmark is one of the largest providers of forensic DNA testing services and its DNA results are used by the criminal justice system to assist with the identification of perpetrators, the exclusion of suspects and the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals. The company provides DNA family relationship testing to numerous child services organizations and individuals seeking to verify parentage. Orchid Cellmark also serves immigration and security authorities for DNA testing of individuals. In the agriculture field, the company provides DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark's strong market positions in these areas reflect the company's accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the company's reputation for exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at www.orchidcellmark.com.
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding expectations regarding Orchid Cellmark's business operations and outlook. Such statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of Orchid Cellmark's products and services, dependence on government funding and collaborations, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent protection, litigation, the timing of release of federal and state funds, the timing and amount of contracts put up for bid, and Orchid Cellmark's ability to successfully offer its services directly to U.K. police forces. These risks and other additional factors affecting these forward-looking statements and Orchid Cellmark's business are discussed under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business" and "Risks Associated with Our Common Stock" in Orchid Cellmark's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid Cellmark with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid Cellmark expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Orchid Cellmark's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as may be required by law.
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