NextGen Sciences Launches Multiple Protein cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CNS Disease Biomarker Assay

LONDON and ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 21, 2011 -

NextGen Group plc (AIM:NGG) is pleased to announce that its
US-subsidiary NextGen Sciences Inc, a leader in biomarker
discovery, measurement and qualification, has launched its first href="www.nextgensciences.com/assays/csf.php">cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) multiple protein (multiplex) assay,
csfdiscovery43, for central nervous system (CNS) biomarker
discovery and qualification. The assay simultaneously measures
43 human CSF proteins that are thought to have potential as
biomarkers in CNS diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s,
multiple sclerosis and ALS diseases. The launch of
csfdiscovery43is the next step in NextGen Sciences strategy
of becoming a leading player in the growing CNS and href="www.nextgensciences.com/assays/plasma.php">oncology
biomarker markets.

NextGen’s assay is based upon its href="www.nextgensciences.com/technology-platforms/#mrm">multiple
reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry platform, and
generates high quality reproducible data that companies can use in
their drug and diagnostic development programmes. In addition to
the CNS disease focus, the assay can be used for early-stage
biomarker discovery and qualification in other disease areas e.g.
traumatic brain injury (TBI). NextGen expects to continue to add
proteins to the csfdiscovery43assay, in addition to
developing other disease-focused assay panels, both as proprietary
products and with other companies through partnerships and
collaborations.

Klaus Rosenau, Chairman and CEO of NextGen Group, commented,
‘The release of csfdiscovery43is the next defining step in
the development of NextGen Sciences’ biomarker business, following
its reorganization and release of the plasmadiscovery41
assay in Q1. It demonstrates that we have once again delivered on
our plans to develop multiplex protein assays that will help to
establish the company as a market leader in biomarker discovery and
qualification using its MRM technology. Importantly, this enables
us to further target increasing market share from the $600m mass
spectrometry based biomarker discovery market. We believe that
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics companies need
high-quality assays relevant to their disease areas to inform their
decision-making processes, and NextGen Sciences is currently
working on the launch of more such products.’

Notes to Editors

NextGen Sciences Inc (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) is the subsidiary of
NextGen Group PLC, London, UK (AIM: NGG). It provides
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies with rapid
and quantitative protein biomarker discovery, measurement and
qualification services using mass spectrometry technology. With a
rise in the industry focus on personalized medicine and
cost-effectiveness, biomarkers are playing an increasing important
role in drug discovery, development and patient access, as well as
healthcare delivery. The global market for biomarkers is expected
to grow to $12.8bn by 2012 (BCC Research), with those for
neurological disorders ($3.5bn by 2015, Espicom Healthcare) and
oncology ($9.5bn by 2014, www.marketsandmarkets.com) playing
an important role. NextGen Sciences’ products include discovery
assays, oncology assays, CNS assays and cardiovascular assays for
biomarker discovery and qualification. For more information please
visit href="www.nextgensciences.com/">www.nextgensciences.com.

For more information please contact :

NextGen Group
Klaus Rosenau, Chairman and CEO
klaus.rosenau@nextgensciences.com
+49-160-551-6756

Seymour Pierce
Jonathan Wright, Nicola Marrin
+44(0)20-7107-8000

.