Transgenomic Inc : Horizon Discovery and Transgenomic Announce Collaboration for Validation Control and Development of Genetic Diagnostic Tests

Transgenomic will use Horizon's genetically defined reference standards in place of plasmid-derived controls

Transgenomic, Inc. (OTCBB: TBIO), a global biotechnology company advancing personalized medicine in cardiology, oncology, and inherited diseases through diagnostic tests as well as clinical and research services, and Horizon Discovery Ltd. (Horizon), a leading provider of research tools to support translational genomics and the development of personalized medicines, today announced they have entered into a collaboration agreement to develop improved genetic diagnostic tests incorporating state of the art controls. The collaboration will enable Transgenomic to transition from the use of plasmid-derived controls, to Horizon's Quantitative Molecular Reference Standards for all of its existing assays, and for any new assays developed in future.

Under the terms of the agreement, Horizon will provide its renewable, genetically defined Quantitative Molecular Reference Standards in both gDNA (genomic DNA) and FFPE (formalin fixed paraffin embedded) format, via its Horizon Diagnostics division. The Quantitative Molecular Reference Standards will be used as advanced reference standards for Transgenomic's range of genetic diagnostic tests, and in the development of novel tests and in vitro diagnostic testing kits. The Quantitative Molecular Reference Standard products will be chosen from Horizon Diagnostics' existing inventory of over 300 products, and Horizon's GENESIS TM gene editing platform will also be employed to precisely engineer new lines as needed, to support the development of the new tests and kits.

"Combining Horizon's technology for developing reliable, genetically defined Quantitative Molecular Reference Standards, with Transgenomic's expertise in molecular diagnostic technologies, this collaboration provides strategic opportunities that will significantly benefit our biomarker identification business," said Paul Kinnon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transgenomic. "We are excited to be working with Horizon, a leader in the personalized medicine field, as we work to expand our test and kit offerings in the rapidly growing area of companion diagnostics."

"Transgenomic operates at the cutting edge of molecular diagnostics and is an ideal partner for Horizon," said Paul Morrill, Senior Vice President of Horizon Diagnostics. "This collaboration adds to our strong network of world class partners practicing high quality science, and contributes to our goal of advancing personalized medicine and ultimately better patient care. We look forward to working with the Transgenomic team."

Horizon Diagnostics' Reference Standard product portfolio comprises highly validated, engineered cell line derived material, including purified DNA with matched normal and renewable formalin fixed, paraffin embedded samples. The available specimens cover a growing range of oncology biomarkers, manufactured to precise standards including defined allelic frequencies.

About Transgenomic, Inc.

Transgenomic, Inc. (www.transgenomic.com) is a global biotechnology company advancing personalized medicine in cardiology, oncology, and inherited diseases. The Company has three complementary business units: Patient Testing, Biomarker Identification, and Genetic Assays and Platforms, which provide specialized diagnostic tests, contract research services for drug development, and equipment, reagents and other consumables for clinical and research applications in molecular testing and cytogenetics.

About Horizon Diagnostics http://www.horizondx.com/

Horizon Diagnostics (HDx), a division of Horizon Discovery Ltd, is an industry-leading provider of quantitative molecular reference standards, including gDNA and cell culture derived FFPE sections. HDx uses a combination of gene editing and digital PCR to engineer reference standards with oncology relevant genotypes at precise allelic frequencies, enabling researchers to establish sensitivity and limit of detection for molecular assays on a routine basis. HDx's goal is to become the global leader in provision of oncology reference standards across the full range of diagnostic platforms.

About Horizon Discoverywww.horizondiscovery.com/

Horizon Discovery Limited (Horizon) is a leading provider of research tools to support translational genomics research and the development of personalized medicines. Using GENESIS^TM, Horizon is able to alter almost any endogenous gene sequence of a human or mammalian cell-line quickly, reliably and without introducing unwanted and confounding genotypes and/or phenotypes.

Horizon has applied GENESIS TM to create over 500 X-MAN TM cell lines, the world's first source of genetically-defined and patient-relevant human cell lines, accurately modeling the disease-causing mutations found in cancer patients. These 'patients-in-a-test-tube' are being used by academic and industry leaders to identify the effect of individual or compound genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, which may lead to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently-available and future drug treatments. This enables the design of shorter, more focused, and less expensive clinical trials, ultimately providing the tools to identify the 'right drugs' for the 'right patients' based upon the unique genetic mutations that define their disease.

In addition to the X-MAN TM cell lines, Horizon provides GENESIS TM and X-MAN TM derived products and services, with industrial application in: bio-pharmaceutical process optimization; clinical diagnostic development; drug discovery & development; and the provision of reference standards for genomic-based clinical research platforms.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" of Transgenomic within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those with respect to management's current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, including the ability of the Company to grow its involvement in the diagnostic products and services markets. The known risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting these forward-looking statements are described from time to time in Transgenomic's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any change in such factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to in such statements. Accordingly, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to all statements contained in this press release. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release and Transgenomic does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.

Investor Contact for Transgenomic:
Argot Partners
David Pitts, 212-600-1902
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Company Contact for Transgenomic:
Transgenomic, Inc.
Investor Relations, 402-452-5416
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For Horizon:
Katie Odgaard
Zyme Communications
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Email: [e-mail]