WaferGen Appoints Life Science Investors Scott R. Davidson and Joseph F. Pesce to Board of Directors

FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTCBB:WGBS), an emerging genomic analysis company, today announced that Scott R. Davidson and Joseph F. Pesce, CPA, have joined the company's Board of Directors. 

Scott R. Davidson currently serves as Managing Director at Great Point Partners, Greenwich, CT. As part of his investment functions, he leads Great Point Partners' medical devices and diagnostics investing efforts.  Prior to joining Great Point, he served in various capacities at Piper Jaffray & Co.; Bear, Stearns & Co.; Robertson Stephens & Co.; and Canaan Partners.  He holds an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar.

Joseph F. Pesce has been a Managing Director and Operating Partner of Great Point Partners, LLC since January 1, 2011. Previously, he was the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Thomas H. Lee Partners, whom he joined in 2001, and where he was promoted to Managing Director and Chief of Operations in 2006.  Most recently, he has served as that firm's Chief Risk Officer.  Prior to that, Mr. Pesce spent over 25 years in senior financial positions in high technology, healthcare and consulting services companies.  Mr. Pesce received an A.B. in Mathematics with honors from Boston College and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and Financial Executives International.

About WaferGen and the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System
WaferGen Biosystems, Inc., an emerging genomic analysis company in the early stage of commercialization, offers the transformative SmartChip Real-Time PCR System—a next-generation Real-Time PCR system for profiling and validation of gene expression patterns (biomarkers) on a single platform. The SmartChip System provides a range of high-throughput capabilities including microRNA and mRNA gene expression profiling and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. WaferGen also offers Quick-Turnaround SmartChip Custom (User-Defined) Panels to enable validation studies of specific genes of interest through customization of high-throughput, real-time PCR SmartChip assay panels—all on a quick-turnaround basis.

In addition, the Company offers an innovative fee-based service for gene-expression profiling using the SmartChip System. For additional information, please see http://www.wafergen.com

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements".  Such statements include statements relating to the contributions of Scott R. Davidson and Joseph Pesce, CPA, statements relating to the expected throughput levels of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, and other statements relating to future events are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company.  Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that may cause such differences include the risks that: (i) the company may be unsuccessful in commercially developing its products or in achieving market acceptance of new and relatively unproven technologies; (ii) the company may need to raise additional capital to meet its business requirements in the future and the company may not be able to do so on reasonable terms or at all; (iii) the company's proprietary intellectual property rights may not adequately protect its products and technologies; and (iv) the company expects intense competition in its target markets, including from companies that have much greater resources than the company, and there can be no assurance that the company will be able to compete effectively.  More detailed information about the company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2011.  Security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.  The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:
WaferGen
510-651-4450

Don Huffman, CFO
[email protected]

Media: Joyce Strand
[email protected]

SOURCE WaferGen Biosystems, Inc.