Exciting New DPC Patents

DPC's ImmuGold system, a new diagnostic instrument designed to provide medically important blood chemistry results in approximately 5 minutes, will receive a patent from the US Patent Office. ImmuGold, due for market release in late 1999, measures cardiac markers, cancer markers, antibodies, hormones, therapeutic drugs, drugs of abuse, and other substances at very low concentrations. The biosensor design disclosed in the patent combines speed and sensitivity to achieve a level of diagnostic performance previously unavailable in the market.

"The technology platform of the ImmuGold system, and the patent we have obtained to protect it, is important because this technology will enable us to offer a system that provides rapid, potentially life-saving results," said Michael Ziering, President and Chief Operating Officer of DPC.

The Company's biosensor technology offers a number of advantages over current immunodiagnostic technologies. The assays are homogeneous, eliminating the need for a wash step, which is common to other immunoassay systems. A single, self-contained cartridge includes the biosensor and all necessary reagents. Finally, the self-sufficient technology will give rise to an inexpensive and simple-to-operate analyzer requiring minimal training.