Sigma Life Science, the innovative biological products and services research business of Sigma-Aldrich^® (Nasdaq:SIAL), today announced a partnership between its SAGE Labs division and Autism Speaks to create genetically engineered knockout rats to aid identification of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of autism.  Combining the extensive knowledge of Autism Speaks with SAGE Labs' proprietary SAGEspeed^TM model creation process is expected to create a number of knockout rat models that simulate various symptoms and pathologies of autism.

Existing animal models of autism are mainly based on mice and, in many cases, do not adequately reflect the symptoms or biology of the disorder, making them of limited use to researchers seeking to further understand the disease or to identify new therapeutic approaches for its treatment. As rats are more physiologically and behaviorally similar to humans, and have a much more diverse behavioral repertoire for assessing learning and social behavior, they have become an important species for research in a number of fields and may serve as a more relevant organism in which to model autism and its related disorders.

Until recently, it has been impossible to create knockout rat models in which targeted genes have been deactivated. Scientists at SAGE Labs - using Sigma's CompoZr^® zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology as part of its SAGEspeed model creation process - now have the ability to produce knockout models designed specifically to mimic the symptoms of autism by targeting genes thought to be implicated in the disorder. Through the collaboration, among the first animals to be developed with the technique will be models for investigation of autism and its related disorders, including models of Fragile X and Rett syndromes, and mutations in neuroligin and neurexin genes.  This is expected to enable researchers in the worldwide autism community to drive forward basic research into the biological mechanisms of disease.  Most importantly, rats are currently also the preferred preclinical model for drug discovery research and development.

"We were particularly interested in partnering with SAGE because of the need to further our ability to carry out translational research in autism.  More model systems are sorely needed," said Dr. Sophia Colamarino, Vice President of Research for Autism Speaks. "Autism Speaks has direct connections to autism researchers across the U.S. and Europe. Combining this specialized knowledge with Sigma Life Science's expertise and unique technology will result in significant benefits for researchers and hopefully a faster testing and adoption of these new models."  

"Sigma's message, ‘Where Bio Begins', is exemplified by the Company's drive to further research in the field of autism by developing tools and animal models not previously available to the research community," added Dr. Edward Weinstein, Director of SAGE Labs at Sigma Life Science. "Working in partnership with Autism Speaks, the leading organization in science, awareness and advocacy of autism-related issues, will provide the ideal opportunity to create a platform of very useful animal models for the research community. This exciting development should be hugely beneficial to researchers seeking to improve the lives of people with autism."

For more information about SAGE Labs, and the models being developed in partnership with Autism Speaks, please visit www.sageresearchmodels.com.

Cautionary statement: The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "is expected to create," "may serve," "expected to enable," "will result," "will provide," "should be" or similar expressions, or by expressed or implied discussions regarding potential future revenues from products derived therefrom. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that the Sigma-Aldrich/Autism Speak partnership will achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding the Sigma-Aldrich/Autism Speak partnership could be affected by, among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the Company's ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; competition in general; government, industry and general public pricing pressures; the impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Company's assets and liabilities as recorded in its consolidated balance sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Sigma-Aldrich's current Form 10-K on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Sigma-Aldrich is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Sigma Life Science: Sigma Life Science is a Sigma-Aldrich business that represents the Company's leadership in innovative biological products and services for the global life science market and offers an array of biologically-rich products and reagents that researchers use in scientific investigation. Product areas include biomolecules, genomics and functional genomics, cells and cell-based assays, transgenics, protein assays, stem cell research, epigenetics and custom services/oligonucleotides. Sigma Life Science also provides an extensive range critical bioessentials like biochemicals, antibiotics, buffers, carbohydrates, enzymes, forensic tools, hematology and histology, nucleotides, amino acids and their derivatives, and cell culture media.

About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 40 countries and has 7,600 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Innovation and Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning Web site at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.

About Autism Speaks:  Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning "Learn the Signs" campaign with the Ad Council which has received over $210 million in donated media. Autism Speaks' family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About the Co-Founders: Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners, Chairman and CEO of the Palm Beach Civic Association and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright has an extensive history of active involvement in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is also Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. Suzanne has received numerous awards such as the CHILD Magazine Children's Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer Award, Spirit of Achievement award by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's National Women's Division and the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world for their commitment to global autism advocacy.

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