Joint Venture to Develop Lead Detection and Removal Products

ECI Biotech, a Worcester company specializing in research on protein design and expression, has signed an agreement with ESA, Inc., of Chelmsford, MA, the world leader in blood lead detection, to license use of its protein technologies for the development of innovative products to detect lead and to remove lead.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Steve Dubin, PR Works, (781) 878-9533, sdubin@prworkzone.com

ECI Biotech to Partner with ESA, Inc.
Joint Venture to Develop Lead Detection and Removal Products

DATELINE: WORCESTER, MA; ISSUED MAY 1, 2002 . . .
ECI Biotech, a Worcester company specializing in research on protein design and expression, has signed an agreement with ESA, Inc., of Chelmsford, MA, the world leader in blood lead detection, to license use of its protein technologies for the development of innovative products to detect lead and to remove lead.

"We are excited about joining with ESA to bring to market products using our protein technology," said Dr. Mitchell Sanders, President of ECI Biotech. "This deal reflects our dedication to commercializing the technology we have developed at ECI Biotech, and we hope to be developing a number of other commercial products this year."

The arrangement will allow ESA, Inc. to use ECI Biotech's protein technology to improve the sensitivity of blood lead diagnostic testing and to develop new, rapid point-of-care diagnostic products. These products will provide simple, rapid and sensitive testing for the diagnosis of lead poisoning in humans, a condition that impacts an estimated 890,000 children in the United States alone. It is expected that the new diagnostic test will be ready to market within two years.

ECI's protein-binding technology will also enable ESA to investigate the development of cleansing wipes that remove lead dust contamination from the environment. Although there are harsh chemical treatments for the removal of lead in home and industrial settings, currently there is no product on the market that is safe and specific for lead dust. ECI's protein technology binds lead in water in less than a second, and does not require any harsh chemicals. This will enable ESA to develop lead-cleansing wipes that will provide consumers with a simple, natural and safe way to remove lead.

"ESA is excited to have the opportunity to work with ECI in applying its protein technologies to lead detection products," said ESA President and CEO, Walter DiGiusto. "ESA has 34 years of experience in this field. We believe that our knowledge of the market, coupled with ECI's expertise in protein formulation, will bring lead detection products to new levels of sensitivity and ease of use."

Based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, ESA is a privately held analytical instrumentation company that has enjoyed steady growth and profitability since 1972. The company manufactures innovative analytical instruments and provides complete support for a full line of chromatographic separation systems. By using basic electrochemistry to detect harmful materials in the environment, ESA has developed inventions and technologies that have played a significant role in safeguarding the health of people for more than 30 years.

For more information about ESA, Inc. and its products, please visit www.esainc.com, or contact Walter DiGiusto at (978) 250-7120.

ECI Biotech is a Worcester, Massachusetts company engaged in breakthrough research on protein design and expression. The company is committed to developing and licensing its protein technologies for use in large industries with unmet needs, including food safety, medical diagnostics, industrial chemistry and consumer goods. ECI Biotech's product pipeline includes a diagnostic kit for detecting the pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, as well as advanced wound care systems designed to provide early warning of emergent infections and to promote healing.

For more information about ECI Biotech and its protein technologies, please visit
www.ecibiotech.com, or contact Dr. Mitchell Sanders at (508) 752-2209.