Hamilton Thorne partners with Leica Microsystems

Leading microscope and optical systems producer to distribute Hamilton Thorne's laser products in North America

TSX VENTURE: HTL

TORONTO, May 27 /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 announces a vendor partnership agreement with Leica Microsystems GmbH of Wetzlar, Germany, a leading global designer and producer of innovative high-tech precision optics systems for the analysis of microstructures. The vendor partnership enables Hamilton Thorne to draw on Leica Microsystems' specialized technical sales group and provides for the companies to work collaboratively to develop sales strategy and exchange leads to increase market penetration. The multi-year agreement provides Leica Microsystems with non-exclusive rights to market and distribute Hamilton Thorne's core laser products, as well as select products currently in development, in North America.

"Leica Microsystems' growing market share in the microscopy industry and its existing installed base of tools in laboratories across North America will dramatically advance our penetration into the regenerative medicine market," says Meg Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Thorne. "With Leica Microsystems' specialized and highly trained sales force, this agreement immediately and significantly expands our distribution capabilities in the U.S. and Canada, while allowing our internal sales force to focus on new Hamilton Thorne product launches. This relationship also allows us to develop the sales strategy collaboratively with Leica Microsystems that will ultimately provide us with a greater voice and visibility in labs throughout North America."

"Hamilton Thorne's products are an ideal extension to our already robust offering of optics systems," says Anthony Santerelli, Advanced Fluorescence Product Manager of Leica Microsystems. "As a leader in the use of lasers for regenerative medicine we can now offer Hamilton Thorne's suite of products as an upgrade to our current customers, as well as cross over into the labs of potential customers to provide new solutions for the rapidly growing regenerative medicine and stem cell markets."

The vendor partnership agreement expands the existing strategic relationship, which focused on joint product development, manufacturing of select components for Hamilton Thorne products, and distribution arrangements in certain European markets.

About Leica Microsystems (www.leica-microsystems.com)

Leica Microsystems is a leading global designer and producer of innovative, high-tech, precision optical systems for the analysis of microstructures. It is one of the market leaders in each of its business areas: Microscopy, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy with corresponding Imaging Systems, Specimen Preparation, and Medical Equipment. The company manufactures a broad range of products for numerous applications requiring microscopic imaging, measurement, and analysis. It also offers system solutions for life science including biotechnology and medicine, research and development of raw materials, and industrial quality assurance. The company is represented in over 100 countries with 11 manufacturing facilities in 8 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries, and an international network of dealers. The international management is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany.

About Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (www.hamiltonthorne.com)

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.

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