Hamilton Thorne Appoints Vice President of Sales

TSX VENTURE: HTL

TORONTO, March 23 /CNW/ - Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (TSX-V: HTL), a leading provider of advanced laser systems and instruments for the stem cell research and fertility clinic markets, today announced the appointment of Michelle Lyles, Ph.D., to the role of Vice President of Sales. Dr. Lyles will be responsible for managing Hamilton Thorne's worldwide sales initiatives and will oversee the Company's sales team and distributor relationships.

"Dr. Lyles' experience in product positioning and marketing novel technologies to the life science research market and her track record in leading successful sales teams will greatly expand the reach of Hamilton Thorne. Her expertise in applied sciences will allow us to build upon our existing client relationships and establish new opportunities for our products with researchers as the stem cell research market continues to grow," said Meg Spencer, Chairman and CEO of Hamilton Thorne. "International experience is a key attribute Dr. Lyles brings to the Company as the stem cell research market in Asia and Europe continue to play a major role in our business. Her proven ability to drive market penetration for the products from both large and small life sciences companies, such as Sigma-Aldrich and Affymetrix, will help us to address and grow the global customer base for Hamilton Thorne's products for the stem cell research market."

Dr. Lyles brings more than 15 years of experience in progressively senior Sales and Marketing roles for life science research companies. Most recently, she was Vice President of Marketing and Sales at febit, inc, a developer of automated solutions for enabling biochip applications in Life Sciences. Previous to this role, Dr. Lyles was Director, USA Sales at Sigma-Aldrich and Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Panomics, Inc (now Affymetrix). Dr. Lyles holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Baylor College of Medicine.

About Hamilton Thorne Ltd.

Hamilton Thorne's advanced laser systems and instruments are rapidly emerging as the dominant products to facilitate precise procedures in the stem cell research and fertility clinic markets. Hamilton Thorne's lead products, the ZILOS-tk and XYClone laser systems, attach to standard inverted microscopes and operate as robotic micro-surgeons, significantly reducing time and increasing efficiency in key in-vitro fertilization, stem cell, embryo, reproductive toxicology and living cell procedures.

Hamilton Thorne's growing customer base includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, fertility clinics, university research centers and other commercial and academic research establishments worldwide. Current customers include world-leading research labs such as Harvard University, MIT, Yale, DuPont, Monsanto, Charles River Labs, Jackson Labs, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Oxford University and Cambridge.

Neither the Toronto Venture Exchange, nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the exchange), accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

%SEDAR: 00025407E

For further information: David Wolf, President, Hamilton Thorne Ltd., [phone], [email protected]; Ross Marshall, The Equicom Group, [phone] x238, [email protected]