EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 2004--SurModics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SRDX), a leading provider of surface modification and drug delivery solutions to the medical device industry, as well as a line of stabilization products used in the in vitro diagnostics industry, today announced the introduction of two new protein stabilization products: StabilCoat(R) Plus and StabilGuard(R) Choice Stabilizers. These two products provide optimum performance for both microsphere and microarray applications.

StabilCoat Plus and StabilGuard Choice Stabilizers improve the stability of proteins bound to microspheres in solution or suspension, protect the activity of proteins while blocking nonspecific binding sites, and prevent microsphere aggregation even after long-term storage. Additionally, both products improve protein array performance in microarray applications by increasing signal, reducing background and improving sensitivity. They also effectively preserve the conformation and activity of array proteins stored long-term in a dried state. StabilGuard Choice Stabilizer has a completely synthetic composition eliminating any possible issues associated with the use of animal protein.

"The use of microsphere- and microarray-based assays is rapidly expanding in the diagnostics and research markets," said Doug Astry, General Manager for SurModics' Diagnostics and Drug Discovery business unit. "Our new products are specifically targeted to enhance the performance and component stability of these assays."

"These product introductions are consistent with the goals of our recently announced reorganization and confirm our commitment to serve the diagnostics and drug discovery markets," added SurModics' President and Chief Operating Officer, Bruce Barclay.

SurModics Stabilization products are distributed in the United States and Puerto Rico by SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc., in Europe by Diarect AG, and in Japan by AR Brown.

About SurModics, Inc.

In addition to licensing its patented coating and drug delivery processes to medical device manufacturers and biotech companies around the world, SurModics develops and produces stabilizers that protect the activity of lyophilized and solubilized protein components of diagnostic kits. SurModics also produces activated slides for DNA immobilization that are sold exclusively by GE Health Sciences. SurModics' Internet address is www.surmodics.com.

    CONTACT: SurModics, Inc., Eden Prairie
             Phil Ankeny, 952-829-2700

    SOURCE: SurModics, Inc.