SENATOR BRUNO, GOVERNOR PATAKI ANNOUNCE 200 NEW HIGH TECH JOBS IN CAPITAL REGION

Nanotech Firm to Invest $12 Million, Create New Jobs Paying Range of $55,000 to $75,000

Friday, September 13, 2002

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno and Governor George E. Pataki today announced that Evident Technologies, Inc. will establish its operations in Troy � creating nearly 200 new high tech jobs in the field of nanotechnology and biotechnology, paying an average salary ranging from $55,000 to $75,000 per year.

"Evident Technologies� $12 million investmen represents a major commitment to Troy and the Captial Region. Evident could have located themselves anywhere in the country, but chose to stay in New York and create 200 new, high paying, high technology jobs," Senator Bruno said. "It is truly a testament to how economically competitive New York has become as a result of the efforts of Governor Pataki. With historic programs such as the Senate�s Gen*NY*sis biotechnology ecnomic development program and the Governor�s Centers for Excellence initiative, we can look forwad to many more announcements of new businesses and new jobs in the very near future."

"New York is a great place for the nanotech industry because our tax cuts, economic development initiatives and highly skilled workforce provide a powerful incentive for new tech- based firms to invest here," Governor Pataki said. "Evident Technologies is a New York-grown company that is quickly becoming one of the Capital Region�s shining success stories. By creating hundreds of new jobs centered around biotech and nanotech, Evident is going to make a major contribution to the Capital Region�s rapidly growing Tech Valley."

Dr. Clinton Ballinger, Evident CEO, said, "Governor Pataki and Senator Bruno have created an environment where an emerging technology company can perform R&D; at New York universities, and receive the necessary support a developing company needs to increase its chances of success. Our decision to stay in Upstate New York is an easy one, when we considered available workforce, quality of life and other issues all developing companies must think about. When it comes to emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, photonics and biotechnology, New York State is covering all the bases."

Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development, said, "Evident�s success is an excellent example of Governor Pataki�s Administration working together with universities and a private company to create good-paying jobs for New Yorkers. From the Governor�s Centers of Excellence initiative to attracting SEMATECH to Albany, Governor Pataki continues to develop programs and partnerships that deliver for the citizens of this state."

Evident Technologies is a nanotechnology applications company developing products in the field of biotechnology. The company is developing and will manufacture HIV and STAPH biochips for clinical and research applications, as well as longer-term products like cancer screening and low- cost tuberculosis tests. The company is one of the first nanotech companies in the field to generate revenue. Evident is currently competing for a Department of Defense grant to develop their field portable bio-threat detection device so that soldiers could be protected from pathogens like anthrax, smallpox, and the plague. Additional information can be found at www.evidenttech.com.

Evident is one of a number of biotechnology-related announcements made recently by Governor Pataki in upstate New York. For example, in July the Governor announced that biotechnology industry leader Genencor International, Inc. will expand its facilities in Rochester, and create up to 100 new jobs with an average salary of between $60,000 and $70,000. Genecor will invest up to $50 million to construct and outfit a state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing facility for clinical trials of drug candidates for its health care business unit. Genencor currently employs approximately 200 people in Rochester, all of whom will be retained.

On July 30th, Governor George Pataki and Senator Bruno unveiled an innovative new funding program designed to recognize and support outstanding scientists and engineers who, early in their careers, show potential for leadership and scientific discovery in the field of biotechnology.

Biotechnology is growing in the Capital Region. On May 18 of this year, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute itself announced it broke ground for the $80 million Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies in the center of the Rensselaer campus.

On August 27th, construction began on the $60 million Center for Medical Research, which will house researchers from Ordway Research Institute, Wadsworth Laboratory, Health Research, Inc., Albany Medical Center and the Albany College of Pharmacy.

New York State is ranked 3rd in the United States in National Institutes of Health grant funding.

In 2001, Gov. Pataki unveiled an unprecedented $1 billion high tech/biotech initiative to maintain worldwide leadership in university-based research, business creation and job development. Since that announcement, the Governor has announced more than 1,000 new biotechnology-related jobs in upstate New York.

"The tax cuts we have enacted and our sensible budgeting practices continue to attract new jobs to New York," said Governor Pataki. "I am pleased that just yesterday, Standard and Poor�s issued a report lauding New York State�s response to the unprecedented challenges presented by 9/11, as well as the State�s preparation for an economic downturn."

The new report, entitled, "New York City and State Escape Credit Slide Since 9/11," found that "New York City and New York State, despite being the site of the nation�s most devastating act of terrorism on 9/11, have averted credit shocks that might have befallen less fiscally prepared governments."

In consideration of its commitment to New York State�s economic future, Evident Technologies is eligible to apply to ESD for a $100,000 training grant and a $300,000 BioMedical Initiatives Capital Grant. In addition, the Governor announced in December that Evident will receive a $400,000 equity investment from the State�s Small Business Technology Investment Fund.

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