"We're very happy with the Formulatrix solution. It has increased our throughput, minimized human error, eliminated repetitive tasks, and helps us keep track of all experiment conditions."
- WILL SOMERS, Ph.D.
Director Protein Crystallography Wyeth, Cambridge, MA

For immediate release
October 31, 2005 Formulatrix
Formulatrix Announces Licensing Agreement

Formulatrix announced today that it has entered into a global licensing agreement with the research division of Novartis for Formulatrix' Rock Maker software. Rock Maker will integrate Novartis' entire crystallization process including experimental design, liquid handling, imaging, and data management.

Jeremy Stevenson, President of Formulatrix stated, "This deal reinforces our belief that Rock Maker is the premier software solution for automating protein crystallization. This sale also provides us with additional resources to invest into the continued development of Rock Maker."

Formulatrix specializes in providing technology that automates the protein crystallization process, a key part of structure based drug discovery. Formulatrix has established itself as one of the leading players in this field with customers world wide including leading pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and academic institutions.

Exelixis, Inc.
Why did you choose Rock Maker and/or Rock Imager for automating protein crystallography?
We chose Rock Maker for a number of reasons. First, it provides us with an integrated solution for design, execution and tracking of crystallization experiments. The flexibility and ease of experimental design was also important to us: we are able to rapidly build new crystallization screens and grids based on prior observations. Finally, and perhaps most important of all, Formulatrix was willing to work with us and with third parties to build a customized version of Rock Maker that was tailored to our specific needs.

Briefly describe the setup in your lab and your throughput.
The Exelixis 'Crystalbot' uses a commercially available liquid handling platform coupled to a 96-way pipetting tool and a plate sealer. This system is used both for making reagent blocks and for setting up sitting drop vapor diffusion crystallization experiments, usually in 96-well format. On the imaging side, we have an automated, temperature-controlled plate incubator and imaging system. Rock Maker controls the liquid handling robotics and exchanges data with the imaging system. The liquid handling robot started operation in June 2003, and imaging system was incorporated in late 2004. Over an 18-month period between June 2003 and the end of 2004, we ran over 800 experiments with Rock Maker. We surveyed around 125 protein constructs (representing over 40 distinct targets), and were able to crystallize about 2/3 of these. During that time, the group solved around 170 protein-drug complex structures.

How has Rock Maker and/or Rock Imager helped you in your crystallization process?
Rock Maker has really changed the way we approach protein crystallization. We are able to set up many more experiments than would be possible by hand, allowing us to survey a broader range of initial conditions. It is also very easy to design new experiments based on initial 'hits', and in many cases this has allowed us to produce crystals very rapidly. The ability to generate very fine grids and novel, random combinatorial screens would be very laborious, if not impossible to do by hand.

What has your experience been with support from Formulatrix?
We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Formulatrix since purchasing Rock Maker. The initial installation, customization and subsequent support have all been accomplished in an efficient and professional manner, and we look forward to continuing to work together as the 'Crystalbot' evolves over the coming years.

For immediate release
July 20, 2005

Max Planck Institute purchases Rock Maker and Rock Imager 24 from Formulatrix for automation of protein crystallization.
Formulatrix said today that the department of Biophysical chemistry has successfully deployed Rock Maker and Rock Imager for automation of protein crystallization.

Martin Kollmar, group leader of Biophysical Chemistry department at MPI said "We were looking for a software solution that not only allows for designing and tracking of crystallization experiments, but also operates liquid handling and imaging robots. As far as we know, Rock Maker is the only software on the market that solves this problem. In addition, Formulatrix builds an imaging robot that provides very good pictures of crystallization drops from all kinds of 96-well plates. We are very happy that Formulatrix was able to deliver a customized solution, and that we get immediate support."

Jeremy Stevenson, founder and CEO of Formulatrix stated "We are very pleased to add Max Planck to our growing list of customers, especially as a key reference site for the European market."
Formulatrix specializes in providing technology that automates the protein crystallization process, a key part of structure based drug discovery. Formulatrix has established itself as one of the leading players in this field with customer on three continents including leading pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and academic institutions. For further information, please visit www.formulatrix.com

"We were looking for a software solution that not only allows for designing and tracking of crystallization experiments, but also operates liquid handling and imaging robots. As far as we know, Rock Maker is the only software on the market that solves this problem. In addition, Formulatrix builds an imaging robot that provides very good pictures of crystallization drops from all kinds of 96-well plates. We are very happy that Formulatrix was able to deliver a customized solution, and that we get immediate support."
- MARTIN KOLLMAR, Group Leader
Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany