Asterand Offers Researchers Internet Access to RNA to Speed Drug Discovery

Asterand (LSE:ATD), the Detroit based biobanking company is
offering research scientists simple and easy access to human RNA
samples via the internet.

"This is a valuable new service to help scientists focused on
early stage drug discovery," says Dr Victoria Blanc Asterand's
Director of Product Development. "The first RNA samples available
through Asterand's e-commerce site (http://solutions.asterand.com)
include those from common cancers such as breast and colon cancer.
Over time we will be adding thousands of RNA samples from a wide range
of diseases."

"The value of RNA analysis is that it is an effective way of
differentiating between the diseased state and normal state of
tissues. Our provision of this material over the internet expedites
the process of identification of novel cellular targets for drug
development.

"The high quality RNA coupled with the ease of acquisition is
important because the isolation of the RNA is complete, the RNA
integrity has been evaluated and approved, and therefore experiments
can be planned and executed without delays."

"We are providing scientists with unique and unusual material.
Each sample of total RNA is from an individual donor, supplied in 5 ug
aliquots. Asterand standard clinical data are provided with every
sample, along with pathology report details, so that the clinical
context of the RNA can be understood. Each sample has been quality
assured by use of the Agilent Bioanalyzer and confirmed to have an RNA
integrity number of at least 6, and in tumor samples, no less than 70%
tumor cells. This ensures that the materials are suitable for all
forms of gene expression analysis - from Northern blots, to TaqMan to
Affymetrix chips.

"Over the last several years we have gained a great deal of
experience in processing hundreds of thousands of samples of RNA,"
says Dr Anja Penger, Director of Biomaterials, and head of the RNA
project at Asterand's UK facility in Royston, UK. "Our team has high
throughput capacity for measuring and aliquotting samples, bar-coding
and distribution. We are very excited to be able to provide the RNA
with the efficiency of online sales."

Asterand plc is a UK public company that supports human drug
discovery by providing high quality, well characterised human
biomaterials and preclinical research services.