NanoScreen, LLC Expanding into new home in Charleston Regional Business Center

CHARLESTON, SC, NOVEMBER 22, 2005: NanoScreen, LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of robotic equipment and pipetting products for the life sciences market, will relocate its manufacturing operations to the Charleston region from Los Angeles, CA.

The move consolidates the company's headquarters, R&D, manufacturing and distribution operations to a new facility in Berkeley County's Charleston Regional Business Center. The facility will be located on a four-acre site, adjacent to Pearlstine Distributors. Company officials expect to be fully relocated by the summer of 2006.

The first phase of the project represents a 25,000-square-foot building, which is quadruple the size of the company's current facility, located at Clements Ferry Industrial Park. Further expansion is slated over the next few years, with an anticipated 200% increase in its 25 person workforce through 2007. The new facility will accommodate NanoScreen's increased need for manufacturing space and equipment to meet the increasing demand for its leading edge products.

A manufacturer of robotic equipment and disposable pipetting products for the pharmaceutical industry, NanoScreen has emerged as the industry leader with the recent unveiling of its 1536 channel syringe dispenser. The company is the first in the industry to introduce this new piece of equipment, a revolution in miniaturization. The 1536 head, once thought to be an engineering impossibility, will save time and money in the drug research realm. The success of the 1536 head, combined with plans to release its own automated pipetting platform and software compatible with a majority of heads and pipette products currently on the market, will solidify NanoScreen's position as an industry leader.

A firm opponent of outsourcing, NanoScreen continues to bring technology in house for heightened quality control. NanoScreen's President and CEO Daniel Dechert stated, "In an era where the trend among competing companies is to downsize and outsource, NanoScreen is expanding the company and bringing proprietary production and manufacturing techniques, currently executed outside of South Carolina, in house," said CEO Daniel Dechert. "This translates into numerous job opportunities over the next several years. The appeal of the Lowcountry will assist in attracting the high tech workforce needed to foster our company." A

s a member of the Charleston Digital Corridor, NanoScreen worked closely with the Corridor's Director, Ernest Andrade, to facilitate the transition. "NanoScreen represents the best of breed in their respective line of business," said Andrade.

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. added, "They are the type of clean, innovative company increasingly choosing the City of Charleston for their headquarters."

Bill McCall, Jr., Chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, also welcomed the news of NanoScreen's expansion. "Following AngelouEconomics' recent recommendation for targeting and nurturing the biosciences industry, it's exciting to see such a dynamic, forward-thinking company choose to increase their business in our region. We welcome this expansion and the high quality jobs it will bring to the area."

Jim Rozier, Berkeley County Supervisor and Chairman of Berkeley County Council, also welcomed the announcement: "Companies such as NanoScreen make our region a standout on the international stage. We are proud that this dynamic company has selected Berkeley County, and we will do everything we can to ensure they continue to prosper here."

In facilitating competitive expansion and relocation projects for the region, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance works with numerous partners and agencies. The relationship with the state of South Carolina is of key importance to the Alliance.

"Raising the income levels for South Carolinians starts with attracting companies that create knowledge-based jobs. NanoScreen is exactly that type of leading-edge company we hope will continue to locate and grow in South Carolina," said Governor Mark Sanford. "We're going to stay focused on making improvements to our underlying business climate to make South Carolina even more attractive to companies like this as they locate or expand." "

We are focused on diversifying our economy to recruit higher paying, knowledge-based jobs to the state and today's announcement is an important step forward on that front. We welcome the expansion of this innovative manufacturer and we couldn't be more pleased that NanoScreen has chosen to make South Carolina its permanent home," said Commerce Secretary Bob Faith. "Moving forward, we will continue to focus on retooling our workforce to make sure that they are better prepared to step into the knowledge-based jobs that we're working hard to attract. This is a long-term strategy we are committed to, so that we can improve the lives of our citizens."

About NanoScreen, LLC.

NanoScreen, LLC, is a manufacturing company specializing in the production of consumable pharmaceutical supplies used in pharmaceutical research. Nanoscreen's premier product line includes the world's smallest disposable pipette, used for distributing extremely small amounts of liquid very accurately (nanoliters). NanoScreen also builds, repairs and refurbishes the automated pipetting equipment used in pharmaceutical research. To learn more, go to www.NanoScreen.com

About the Charleston Digital Corridor

The Charleston Digital Corridor is a creative effort by the City of Charleston to attract, nurture, and promote knowledge-based enterprise in targeted areas of the city. With the goal of offering tangible resources to the business community, the Corridor serves as a portal to government, infrastructure, real estate, education and professional resources. To learn more, go to www.charlestondigitalcorridor.com

NanoScreen, LLC Contact: Noelle Webb 843-881-8841

Charleston Digital Corridor Contact: Ernest Andrade 843-724-3773