We hereby inform you that TRANS GENIC INC. (CEO: Masahiro Koreishi; head office: Kumamoto; hereinafter referred to as TRANS GENIC) on October 3, 2005 concluded an agreement with Life Science Group, Hitachi, Ltd. (business director & CEO: MakotoTakamori; head office: Kawagoe, Saitama; hereinafter referred to as Hitachi), regarding an R & D support service-related business tie-up in the field of life science in order to launch higher level, one-stop services.

Hitachi offers comprehensive R & D support services in the field of life science, using such biotechnologies as genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics, as well as informatics technology. On the other hand, the R & D support services of TRANS GENIC include the creation of a knockout mouse library by exchangeable gene trapping, so as to provide in vivo gene function information from the library as a tool for exploring novel drug candidates. Both parties agreed to combine their respective technologies to provide the R & D divisions of pharmaceutical, chemical and food companies, and research institutes with the new service, thereby contributing to the reinforcement of mutual businesses.

This agreement gives Hitachi access to TRANS GENICq†s knockout mouse library, allowing Hitachi to provide more sophisticated information through its contract research activities involving various genomic and proteomic analyses. Furthermore, by combining its original services with those of TRANS GENIC, Hitachi ensures one-stop services. TRANS GENIC, on the other hand, by providing Hitachi with the life resources it has accumulated, can make full use of those resources while reinforcing its sales strength by taking advantage of the more specialized sales channels that Hitachi can provide.