Prime Minister and eminent world scientist to help launch new DNA extraction products on global market

10 February 2006

New and unique DNA extraction products will be launched on the world market in Auckland on 16 February.
ZyGEM will unveil its products based on outstanding discoveries made by New Zealand scientists.

One of the Europe's most eminent scientists, Sir Brian Heap, who has worked with the European Union, the NATO Science Committee, and is Chairman of the new Cambridge Genetics Knowledge Park, and the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, will attend and speak at ZyGEM s launch.

The company has attracted significant investors, including Endeavour Capital's Neville Jordan, who chairs ZyGEM.

ZyGEM's Chief Executive, Dr Adrian Hodgson, will outline the firm's plans to take its new products to the billion-dollar world market. The product formulations are based on an enzyme extracted from bacteria discovered in Antarctica.

Working faster and costing less than traditional reagents used to extract DNA from human, plant and animal samples, ZyGEM's products are expected to find a significant market with companies processing millions of DNA samples per year.

The company is aiming at the major US and European markets.

Dr Hodgson was formerly CEO of biotechnology company VectoGen Ltd and COO and Science Director of genetic diagnostics company Genetic Technologies Ltd. In 2002 Dr Hodgson was awarded the CSIRO medal for research innovation and commercialisation.