HitachiSoft Launches Support Service for Gene Testing and Analysis

One-stop service provides comprehensive services from gene testing and analysis to integration and operation of information systems

TOKYO, September 19, 2007 - HitachiSoft today launched a new support service for gene testing and analysis, which leverages the company's system construction expertise and its "wet" technologies for gene testing and analysis. The service is intended for research institutes that engage in gene experiments and analysis, and businesses that provide advice to their customers using the results of gene analysis. The one-stop service will provide a comprehensive range of services from gene experimentation, testing and analysis to information systems construction and services for information management and administration.

Rapid advancements in gene analysis over the last few years have accelerated the toward the use of personal gene data to promote and improve personal health and beauty, utilizing data obtained through methods such as obesity gene testing and lifestyle disease gene testing. In addition, technical improvements in gene analysis have created the need to accommodate diverse needs for gene analysis among research laboratories and R&D departments of universities, pharmaceutical companies and food companies. Meanwhile, the frequency of recent incidents involving improper labeling of foods has created surging demand for genetic testing of foods. Until now, businesses and research institutes engaged in these fields had to turn to different companies in order to outsource their needs for experimental analysis and the construction and operation of information systems. The new service from HitachiSoft addresses this limitation by offering a one-stop support service to address all of these needs.

Features of HitachiSoft's Support Service for Gene Testing and Analysis

1. One-stop service ranging from gene analysis to information systems construction and operation

HitachiSoft has accumulated extensive expertise in "wet" technologies in areas such as gene experimentation and gene analysis, which was acquired through the development of solutions such as the FMBIO fluorescence imaging system, which is used by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation among other clients, and the AceGene DNA chip and peripheral equipment. HitachiSoft also has extensive expertise in software development and information systems construction for the life sciences sector. The support service for gene testing and analysis combines two strengths of HitachiSoft, leveraging the company's strength in "wet" technologies as an element of its life sciences business, and its longstanding IT expertise. In addition to providing outsourced analysis services, the solutions-oriented service will provide customers with everything from database conversion of analysis results to services for data analysis and information management and administration.

2. Sample drop-off service for reliable analysis results with high repeatability

Customers requesting analysis can send their samples to HitachiSoft in order to quickly obtain reliable gene analysis results with a high level of repeatability. Through the service, HitachiSoft conducts various gene experiments and testing with a focus on the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)1 of genes, with the option of performing analysis services based on the results of experiments and testing. 1 Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a DNA sequence variation that is unique to each individual, containing a difference in a single nucleotide.

3. Highly reliable services for information systems construction and operation

Use of individual gene data promises to play a major role in a diverse range of fields, but improper handling of individual gene data can also give rise to ethical, legal and social issues, requiring careful and appropriate use of individual gene data. HitachiSoft has been engaged in system construction of major public data infrastructure since 1970, which demands a high degree of both confidentiality and reliability. In addition, the company has many users of its information security systems such as the Hibun and Johmon series of information security products. HitachiSoft is leveraging its expertise in security technologies to provide services for both construction and operation of management systems for individual gene data.

HitachiSoft offers the following services to ensure secure operating environments for information systems:

HitachiSoft's support service for gene testing and analysis will focus on providing services to two major market segments. The first market consists of businesses that provide health and beauty advice using high-profile technologies such as obesity gene testing and lifestyle disease gene testing. The second market consists of businesses that aim to secure food safety and assurance through gene testing of foods. HitachiSoft is targeting sales of ¥2.0 billion from the new support service, to be provided as one of its life sciences solutions, within the next three years.

For inquiries about this news release, contact HitachiSoft as shown below.

Toru Takehashi, Miki Takano

Corporate Communications

Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd.

Tel: +81-3-5780-6450

E-mail: press@hitachisoft.jp

* The official name for HitachiSoft is HitachiSoft Engineering Co., Ltd.

* FMBIO, AceGene, Hibun and Johmon are registered trademarks of HitachiSoft Engineering Co., Ltd.

* Other company names and product names are the registered trademarks and/or trademarks of the respective companies.