PRINCETON, N.J., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orchid Cellmark Inc.
(Nasdaq: ORCH), a leading worldwide provider of identity DNA testing services,
today announced that it will open a new regional forensic facility in the
North West of England later this year following a major award of work from
nine new police forces. This work was awarded to Orchid Cellmark following the
North West/South West and Wales regional forensic tender.
The laboratory will place Orchid Cellmark close to its customers in the
North West of England and is expected to provide expansion capacity to
accommodate the award as well as future growth. Orchid Cellmark has already
started DNA testing work for some of its new police force customers and is
currently preparing to take on the rest of the award.
Three-year contracts are expected to be executed shortly for the nine
police forces under which Orchid Cellmark will provide forensic services,
including DNA testing of database crime scene samples, forensic casework and
PACE samples (DNA database samples taken under the Police and Criminal
Evidence Act). The work was awarded following a lengthy competitive bidding
process.
Thomas Bologna, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "Orchid
Cellmark was delighted with the outcome of the North West, South West and
Wales regional tender. We believe the magnitude of the anticipated work
justifies the requirement for a new facility in North West England. This award
validates our approach to providing competitive DNA testing services of the
highest quality." Mr. Bologna continued, "We believe that our success in the
regional tender demonstrates that we can compete well in the U.K. on a direct
basis with other U.K. forensics companies. We anticipate the remaining police
forces in the U.K. will begin tendering their forensics work through the
National Procurement Plan later this year or in the first quarter of 2009."
David Hartshorne, Commercial Director of Orchid Cellmark's U.K. operation
said, "The new facility will not only allow us to serve customers under the
North West/South West and Wales regional tender but also positions the company
to address future opportunities. The facility is needed at this time because
of the large volume of forensic casework awarded to Orchid Cellmark and forms
an important part of our plan to successfully implement this work as we grow
our business."
About Orchid Cellmark
Orchid Cellmark Inc. is a leading international provider of DNA testing
services for human identity testing and agricultural applications. In the
human identity area, Orchid Cellmark provides DNA testing and other services
for forensic investigation, paternity testing and family relationship analysis
and security applications. In the agriculture field, Orchid Cellmark provides
DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark's strong
market positions in these segments reflect the company's accredited
laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis
technologies and expertise and the world-renowned Cellmark brand that has been
associated with exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for
nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at
www.orchid.com.
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-
looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding:
expectations regarding Orchid Cellmark's business operations and outlook, the
expectation that the new regional forensic facility will provide expansion
capacity to accommodate the award as well as future growth, the expectation
that three year contracts will be executed shortly for the nine police forces,
the belief that the magnitude of the anticipated work justifies the
requirement for a new facility in North West England, the belief that the
award validates our approach to providing competitive DNA testing services of
the highest quality, the belief that our success in the regional tender
demonstrates that we can compete well in the U.K. on a direct basis with other
U.K. forensics companies, the anticipation that the remaining police forces in
the U.K. will tender their forensics work through the National Procurement
Plan starting later this year or in the first quarter of 2009, and the belief
that the new facility in North West England will not only allow us to serve
customers under the North West/South West and Wales regional tender but also
positions the company to address future opportunities. Such statements are
subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the
risk that we are not able to regain or replace services that we previously
provided to two key police forces in the U.K. under an arrangement with LGC,
the risk that the amount of revenue resulting from the North West/South West
and Wales regional tender in the U.K. is not significant, Orchid Cellmark's
ability to timely and successfully integrate ReliaGene's business,
uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing,
market acceptance, cost and pricing of Orchid Cellmark's products and
services, dependence on government funding and collaborations, regulatory
approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent protection,
litigation, the timing of release of federal funds, the timing and amount of
contracts put up for bid, and Orchid Cellmark's ability to successfully offer
its services directly to U.K. police forces. These risks and other additional
factors affecting these forward-looking statements and Orchid Cellmark's
business are discussed under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business" and
"Risks Associated with Our Common Stock" in Orchid Cellmark's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid Cellmark with the
Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid Cellmark
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect any change in Orchid Cellmark's expectations with regard thereto or
any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such
statements are based, except as may be required by law.
Information contained in our press releases should be considered accurate
only as of the date of the release. Information in any press release may be
superseded by more recent information we have disclosed in later press
releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise.
Press releases may contain forward-looking statements based on the
expectations of our management as of the date of the release. Actual results
may materially differ based on several factors, including those described in
the press release.
Contacts
Investors: Media:
Mary Bashore Barbara Lindheim
Orchid Cellmark Inc. GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
(609) 750-2324 (212) 918-4650
SOURCE Orchid Cellmark Inc.