2010

January 11, 2010

DNA Genotek Launches New Sample Collection Product to Accelerate Livestock Genetic Testing

Performagene™•LIVESTOCK Enables Easier, More Economical Genetic Testing to Facilitate Breed Improvements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JANUARY 11, 2010, SAN DIEGO, CA – Plant and Animal Genome Conference – January 11, 2010. DNA Genotek, a leading provider of products for biological sample collection, stabilization and preparation, today launched Performagene™•LIVESTOCK, a new method for collecting DNA from livestock using nasal samples. Producers, breed associations, livestock researchers and processing laboratories now have access to a reliable, cost-effective, and scalable collection device that will positively impact the industry's ability to accelerate breed improvements and verify parentage for cattle, sheep and swine. Performagene•LIVESTOCK joins DNA Genotek's expanding family of products for animals and livestock and builds on the success of the Oragene•DNA product for humans.

The first step in any DNA analysis is collecting a quality DNA sample. DNA samples collected with Performagene•LIVESTOCK are faster to collect than other methods, are stable at ambient temperature and are prepared for processing while being transported to the lab via regular mail. Performagene•LIVESTOCK can identify markers for applications such as parentage as well as economically important performance traits including disease resistance, milk production, marbling and feed efficiency. This allows producers to make more informed breeding and management decisions.

"Collecting and extracting high quality DNA from livestock is not easy, yet it is essential as the industry relies more on genomic testing for performance traits and parentage verification," said Jay Shannon, Breed Improvement Manager, Holstein Canada. "The key to widespread adoption of genomic testing is the availability of a reliable, easy and cost effective means of collecting the sample. Early indications from field trials show the Performagene•LIVESTOCK nasal DNA collection kit offers benefits that address some of these challenges."

Processing labs are ready to offer more reliable methods for collecting DNA samples to improve the quality of the samples they receive and to fully automate the processing and analysis of the samples.

"SRC GenServe Laboratories™ is pleased to offer Performagene•LIVESTOCK as a sampling option to our clients. The integrated collection and stabilization kit provides us with a highly reliable DNA sample that performs exceptionally well for our livestock genetic tests," said D.A. (Dale) Kelly, P.Ag., vice president, Agriculture, Biotechnology and Food, Saskatchewan Research Council.

Performagene•LIVESTOCK's easy collection method allows producers to collect more DNA samples faster than with other collection methods which can benefit their bottom line.

Louis Patenaude of La Ferme Gillette Inc. in Embrun Ontario evaluated the product on his herd and stated: "Performagene•LIVESTOCK as a DNA sampling method allows me to collect from my cattle significantly faster than taking hair samples. Time is critical to every element of farming and Performagene•LIVESTOCK enables easier genetic testing of my herd by decreasing the complexity of sample collection. This DNA collection method is extremely easy and I would recommend to any producer to try this method."

"The optimal choice of sample collection method for DNA testing and analysis depends on ease of collection and processing, cost of transport and reliability," said Ian Curry, president and CEO, DNA Genotek, Inc. "We worked closely with breed associations, producers and processing labs to ensure that the product would satisfy the needs of the industry at large. Collecting DNA samples is now fast and easy for producers and labs appreciate the cost savings from efficiently processing reliable samples."

For more information on Performagene•LIVESTOCK, please visit www.dnagenotek.com or email us at info@dnagenotek.com

About DNA Genotek

DNA Genotek focuses on providing high-quality biological sample collection products. The company's lead product, the Oragene•DNA Self-Collection Kit, is the easiest way to collect and preserve large amounts of DNA from saliva. Oragene•DNA's reliability and ease-of-use have resulted in rapid adoption at top-tier health research institutions globally, including Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, and Johns Hopkins. DNA Genotek markets its products worldwide and has established a global customer base in over 85 countries. For more information about DNA Genotek, visit www.dnagenotek.com

For information about this press release contact:

Shauna White
DNA Genotek
613-723-5757 ext. 307
shauna.white@dnagenotek.com

® Oragene is a registered trademark of DNA Genotek, Inc.