NEWS RELEASE
FIRST CRYOBIOLOGY CENTER OPENS NEW DOORS
AND
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEXAS INDUSTRY

(Lubbock, TX) The first Center of Excellence For Cryobiology is now open in Texas, helping to diversify the states’ economic infrastructure. Instead of focusing on the already saturated information technology industry, the Board of Regents of Texas Tech University wanted to help the state become a leader in biotechnology as well. On November 3rd, 2000, they established "The Center for Excellence for Cryobiology" along with Supachill USA, Inc. The Center is officially opened and is located at Supachill Centre in Lubbock, Texas.

Cryobiology means the act of freezing biological materials. The new Center of Excellence for Cryobiology is becoming a focal point for the development of new applications in medicine and biotechnology along with new animal science and food technology procedures using the unique high-speed Supachill freezing process.

Work by Texas Tech scientists using new high-speed freezing technology developed by Supachill has already shown significant advancements. In the medical industry:

· Cell survival rates of 90% can be achieved using Supachill. Standard cell freezing methods have a survival rate of only 40-45%.

· Human in vitro fertilization procedures worldwide could be improved by increasing the preservation rate of embryos. Already mice embryos frozen with Supachill were twice as likely to survive post-thaw than embryos frozen using traditional methods. Additionally, doctors are finding that stem cell material will play an ever-increasing role in all areas of cures and treatment of major life-threatening diseases. Therefore, the proper preservation of stem cell material is paramount.

· Tissue and cell biopsies using Supachill will present a better analysis of the actual cell material and do so faster. Pathologists in all hospitals will then have the opportunity to respond with a more accurate report based on better-prepared tissue samples.

· More successful organ transplant and transport methods are of paramount importance. Research in this area is continuing with the goal of preserving organs and tissue for extended periods.

This new Center of Excellence for Cryobiology is allowing scientists in both the animal science and health sciences area to use the work to date as a basis for developing new applications in medicine and research.

New industry partnerships are also being formed with national and international companies, attracting new expertise and commercial opportunities to Texas.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Sam Prien
Center of Excellence For Cryobiology Co-Director
Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Dept. of Animal Science & Food Technology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Phone: 806-743-2047
E-mail: obgsdp@ttuhsc.edu

Dr. John Blanton
Center of Excellence For Cryobiology Co-Director
Texas Tech University Animal Science and Food Technology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Phone: 806-742-2804
E-mail: jblanton@ttu.edu

Brian Wood
President/CEO, Supachill USA, Inc.
Phone: 806-885-1300
E-mail: bwood@supachillusa.com

Scott Irlbeck, Media Liaison, Supachill USA,
Phone: 806-885-1300
E-mail: scott@supachillusa.com