IVGN: Invitrogen Introduces New Patent-Protected E-Gel Product

Invitrogen Corporation (Nasdaq:IVGN), a global leader in life sciences, announced the availability of E-Gel(R) CloneWell(TM) SYBR(R) gels, the newest addition to the company's patented E-Gel(R) line of products. These gels provide a fast and convenient way to obtain improved cloning efficiency without exposing the user to harmful UV trans-illumination.

Users of these new products can avoid gel slicing and UV exposure, leading to a safer and more efficient DNA recovery method. The DNA is stained with non-toxic, non-mutagenic SYBR(R) Safe stain, which is visualized with the Safe Imager(TM) device to deliver DNA free of strand breaks and mutations, resulting in higher cloning efficiencies.

The E-Gel(R) CloneWell(TM) SYBR(R) Safe gels are the latest Invitrogen products to be launched that are protected by a U.S. patent. The company holds more than 800 patents on key technologies that accelerate research and scientific discovery. The patents span the spectrum from molecular biology to stem cells.

In October, Invitrogen was named as an inaugural constituent of the Ocean Tomo 300 Patent Index, the first equity index based on the value of corporate intellectual property. The Index is priced and published by the American Stock Exchange and is a diversified, market-weighted index of companies that own the most valuable patents relative to their book value.

The Index is the first major, broad-based market equity index to be launched in 35 years. Its purpose is to provide a tool for identifying and valuing innovation and intellectual capital.

"Invitrogen is very pleased to be included as an inaugural member of the Ocean Tomo 300 Index," said Greg Lucier, Chairman and CEO of Invitrogen. "Innovation is the cornerstone of our business and we take great pride in how our scientific breakthroughs can accelerate research and development that will one day lead to lifesaving therapies."

The company has vigorously defended its patents against any type of infringement. Last month the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas entered a favorable decision to Invitrogen in their ongoing patent infringement lawsuit against Stratagene, Inc. Invitrogen was awarded more than $16 million in damages for Stratagene's infringement of its competent cell patent. The court also entered an injunction against further infringement by Stratagene.