Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanogen Patent Portfolio in Realtime PCR Strengthened

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Abstract:
Nanogen, Inc. (Nasdaq: NGEN), developer of molecular and rapid diagnostic products, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted two new patents; No. 7,319,022 titled "Amplification Methods" and No. 7,297,495 titled "Hybridization-Triggered Fluorescent Detection Of Nucleic Acids". The technologies described in these patents are important additions to the strong foundation of inventions in the Company's MGB Probe technology portfolio.

Nanogen Patent Portfolio in Realtime PCR Strengthened

San Diego, CA | Posted on January 31st, 2008

The Amplification Method invention describes the use of overlap primer/probe designs and specifically differentiates Nanogen primer and probe designs from conventional PCR techniques since the probe overlaps with a portion of the primer sequences. The overlap design allows the utilization of short, more conserved, primer and probe sequences which generate shorter amplicons and results in a more efficient PCR amplification reaction. "This patent is a key element of our real-time PCR product offering" stated Graham Lidgard, SVP of Research and Development for Nanogen. "The overlap design is an integral design element of the Company's MGB Alert® products that significantly differentiates these real-time PCR products in the market and adds performance and value for customers."

The second patent relates to the invention of a new fluorescent dye, cyanine dye, which simplifies PCR probe design requirements by eliminating the need for fluorescent quenchers. In classical real-time PCR, probes need a quencher molecule to keep the fluor from emitting signal in the non-hybridized state. This new cyanine dye, when used with the Company's MGB moiety, does not fluoresce when not hybridized, but it does fluoresce when hybridized to the target. This opens up new PCR probe design opportunities for the Company to use in its products or license to partners.

Nanogen now has more than 40 patents in the field of real-time PCR which play an important role in the Company's proprietary product offering and licensing programs. Nanogen's products are used by clinical laboratories to develop molecular diagnostic tests that will detect genetic sequences associated with pathogens including those often tested in immunocompromised patients such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and enterovirus.

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About Nanogen, Inc.
Nanogen provides innovative, high quality diagnostic products to clinicians and physicians worldwide making it easier to predict, diagnose, and ultimately help treat diseases. The company's products include molecular diagnostic kits and reagents and kits for rapid, point-of-care testing. Nanogen has pioneered research in areas involving nanotechnology, biomarkers, and molecular biology to bring better results to diagnostics and healthcare. For additional information please visit Nanogen’s website at www.nanogen.com.

Nanogen Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including whether patents owned or licensed by Nanogen will be developed into products, whether the patents owned by Nanogen offer any protection against competitors with competing technologies, whether products under development can be successfully developed and commercialized, whether results reported by our customers or partners can be identically replicated, and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the caption "Factors That May Affect Results" and elsewhere in Nanogen’s Form 10-K or Form 10-Q most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Nanogen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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Contacts:
Nanogen, Inc.
Robert Saltmarsh, Chief Financial Officer
858-410-4600

Kelly Gann, Marketing Communications
858-410-4667

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