RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, Calif. September 22, 2009 -- Molecular Express (http://www.molecularexpress.com) announced the award of SBIR AT Phase I funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to continue the development of a “universal” influenza vaccine for preventing influenza pandemics and epidemics. Part of the influenza vaccine project will be conducted in collaboration with Professors Thomas Voss at Tulane University and Christopher Miller of the California National Primate Research Center at the University of California Davis.

Infections by the influenza virus have caused the deaths of millions of humans worldwide. While generally effective against individual viruses, vaccines that protect against new emerging strains of influenza are difficult to manufacture rapidly and have unpredictable immunological activity due to rapid mutations and rearrangements in the influenza viral genome. The appearance of highly virulent avian strains and the emergence of an H1N1 strain of influenza have led to the prediction that a pandemic of unprecedented consequences might occur in the near future. Immunization against emerging strains of influenza would be greatly improved by the development of new vaccine technologies that provide broad protection against infection and yet, are flexible enough to be able to rapidly and effectively make changes in response to new viruses.

To address this need, the Company developed the VesiVax^® system, a novel vaccine development platform technology designed to streamline the process of engineering and producing new vaccines to counter the appearance of a pathogen such as influenza. In one of its vaccine programs, the Company has selected the Matrix 2 ectodomain (M2e) of influenza viruses as a target for development of a “universal” influenza vaccine. Recent results in collaboration with Professor Jill Adler-Moore of the California State Polytechnic University Pomona and Dr. Terry Tumpey at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrated that one of the Company’s M2e-based influenza vaccine candidates stimulates the production of neutralizing antibodies to multiple strains of influenza viruses. The funding provided by the NIAID will help to advance a pandemic influenza vaccine candidate based on the VesiVax^® technology platform towards clinical evaluation.

About Molecular Express

Molecular Express, a subsidiary of Molecular GPS Technologies headquartered in Rancho Dominguez, California is a research and development technology company specializing in the application of life science technologies to address market needs across a broad spectrum of industries. The Company’s lipid and “Molecular Guided Particle Systems” delivery platform is the basis for many active programs. Molecular Express currently has active research and development projects in the fields of infectious diseases, anti-cancer therapies and regenerative medicine.

About Tulane University

Vaccine testing for this program will be conducted by the Department of Immunology and Microbiology of the Tulane University School of Medicine. One of the nation’s most recognized centers for medical education, the Tulane University School of Medicine is also a vibrant center for cutting-edge medical research. Testing will also be conducted at the Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), a unit of Tulane University located in the greater New Orleans area. The TNPRC is the only NPRC with an NIH-funded high-containment Regional Biosafety Laboratory focused on research with emerging infectious disease and biodefense agents. For more information, please visit the website at www.tulane.edu.

About the California National Primate Research Center at the University of California Davis

The California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) is an Organized Research Unit of the University of California Davis and part of the National Primate Research Centers Program. The CNPRC is one of eight such centers supported by the National Center for Research Resources, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The CNPRC provides interdisciplinary programs in biomedical research on significant human health-related problems in which nonhuman primates are the models of choice. For more information, please visit the CNPRC website at www.cnprc.ucdavis.edu.

About the California State Polytechnic University Pomona

The California State Polytechnic University Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) is dedicated to advancement of learning and knowledge by linking theory and practice in all disciplines and to prepare students for lifelong learning, leadership and careers in a changing multicultural world. Cal Poly Pomona strives to be a leader in polytechnic education, where hands-on learning is the foundation of a broad-based educational experience through teaching, learning, and scholarship that continually addresses the needs of a diverse culture and a dynamic economy. For more information, please visit the Cal Poly Pomona website at www.csupomona.edu.

About the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is an organization that protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing creditable information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations. As a federal agency, CDC does not promote or endorse specific products or entities. For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov.