Constance (18 June 2007) – GATC Biotech, a leading provider of DNA sequencing and molecular biology services with 17 years’ experience in the field, today announced the appointment of Dr Marcus Benz as Chief Operating Officer as part of the Company’s strategy to drive business throughout Europe. Dr Benz joined GATC Biotech in 2000 as Head of Quality Management, progressing to responsibility for the Company’s entire Sequencing business unit. In 2003 he became responsible for Production Management at the Company. Prior to joining GATC Biotech, Dr Benz was a consultant in the life science industry. Dr Benz has a Diploma degree in Biology from the University of Konstanz, for which he also studied at Northern Arizona University, and a PhD in Microbial Ecology from the University of Konstanz.

Commenting on the new appointment, Peter Pohl, CEO of GATC Biotech said: “In his new position Marcus will play a key role in widening GATC Biotech’s customer base. GATC Biotech is the only company that can offer all three lead sequencing technologies – the ABI 3730 XL, Illumina (formerly Solexa) and 454, and we are confident that the Company will have continued and growing success in the European market.”
 
Dr Benz said of his new appointment: “GATC Biotech combines innovation with experience, and I am delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the expansion of the Company. As the market shows an increasing trend towards outsourcing, particularly in high throughput sequencing, GATC Biotech is leading the way as a service provider.”

About GATC Biotech
With more than 17 years’ experience, GATC Biotech is a leading provider of DNA sequencing services and bioinformatics software for industry and academia worldwide. GATC Biotech offers complete sequencing solutions, from sample prep to high throughput genome sequencing and bioinformatics. It is the only company in Europe that uses all three leading high throughput sequencing technologies, the ABI 3730XL, Illumina Genome Analyzer and Roche 454, providing the flexibility to tailor programmes to meet customer requirements. These sequencing services are complemented by a range of innovative bioinformatics software including Lasergene™ (DNA sequence analysis software) by DNASTAR Inc., ePath3D™ (3D pathway drawing tool) by Protein Lounge, Mutation Surveyor™/Mutation Explorer™ (DNA variant analysis software) and GeneMarker™ (Software for AFLP and genotyping) by SoftGenetics, as well as ERGO™ (genome analysis suite) by Integrated Genomics. Headquartered in Constance, Germany, GATC Biotech has 56 employees and serves over 10,000 customers in 40 countries. The company has subsidiaries in France and the UK, as well as offices in the UK, Germany and Switzerland. GATC Biotech is privately owned and has been ISO-certified since 1997.

Contact:

GATC Biotech AG

Elke Decker

Senior Director Marketing
Jakob-Stadler-Platz 7
D-78467 Konstanz
Tel: +49-7531-8160-36
Fax: +49-7531-8160-81
e.decker@gatc-biotech.com