Hamilton Thorne Attends ASRM 2011 to Showcase New Lykos™ Laser System and Preview IMSI Strict Analysis Software

At ASRM, Hamilton Thorne Will Demonstrate How the Company’s Laser and Imaging Products Can Improve Reproductive Outcomes

BEVERLY, MA and TORONTO–(Marketwire – October 17, 2011) – Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (TSX-V: HTL), a leading provider of advanced laser systems for the regenerative medicine, fertility and stem cell research markets, today announced that it will be attending the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 67th Annual Meeting taking place in Orlando, Florida, October 15-19, 2011. ASRM’s focus on reproductive medicine is a premier showcase for Hamilton Thorne’s fertility products, and an ideal platform to demonstrate the newly launched LYKOS™ laser system, as well as preview the Company’s IMSI STRICT™ imaging analysis software and 3D adapter technology with partner ISee3D. Visit Hamilton Thorne’s booth # 2525 to learn more about these new fertility products.

The new LYKOS™ laser system is a significant advance in integrated laser optics, providing additional functionality, improved optics, increased resolution and compatibility with all major microscope models. The elegant and sleek new design of the LYKOS™ is engineered to have the laser and RED-i target locator built directly inside the objective, saving researchers from tedious alignment procedures. The improved working distance will be a significant advantage in the daily workflow. The laser also features enhanced UV transmission/fluorescence, which is compatible with many fluorescing stains. The LYKOS™ also offers additional benefits for cutting-edge clinical processes such as trophectoderm biopsy, blastomere biopsy, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and laser-assisted hatching.

Also at ASRM 2011, Hamilton Thorne will be previewing its IMSI STRICT™ imaging analysis software. IMSI STRICT™ provides fertility clinicians with the ability to select optimum sperm and thus improve outcomes during ICSI procedures. The process of choosing the sperm with the best morphology is termed intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI). Sperm morphology was researched at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, by Dr. Thinus Kruger and his team who defined STRICT Criteria and classified stained, non-living sperm according to their physical characteristics by applying STRICT Criteria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has accepted STRICT Criteria morphology as a preferred standard for sperm classification and selection. Hamilton Thorne implements the principles of STRICT Criteria morphology in its IMSI STRICT™ analysis, which allows living sperm to be evaluated and the best cells to be selected for fertilization. Current research in the field supports that STRICT Criteria provides the best possible outcomes. Hamilton Thorne has collaborated with PrimeLogic, a software engineering company in South Africa, to implement IMSI STRICT™ and expects to launch beta testing of the software in Q4.

“In the fertility markets, IMSI is becoming a key procedure to improve outcomes in fertility treatments,” said Diarmaid Douglas-Hamilton, Chief Technology Officer of Hamilton Thorne Ltd. “We believe that our IMSI STRICT™ product will represent a significant step forward in the sperm selection process and provide scientists and patients with better solutions for their conception goals. The speed of the IMSI STRICT™ analysis should yield real-time results to enhance the work flow efficiency.”

Hamilton Thorne will also screen laboratory footage from its collaboration with ISee3D Inc. to showcase their unique single camera, single lens, single chip 3D microscope technology that is currently in development.The technology partnership was formed to develop a single lens 3D microscope adapter that will result in the support of 3D display by research grade microscopes currently only capable of 2D.

The 3D lens provides researchers with an innovative way to view cells and easily conduct scientific processes. The adapter produces 3D imaging through the video channel via the camera’s optical port and is optimized for use in biological research. The adapter provides a cost-effective solution for this grade of camera/microscope configuration and may also be fitted with a universal adapter to support other high-powered microscopes. For more information on ISee3D’s single lens, single camera technology, please visit www.ISee3D.com .

About Hamilton Thorne Ltd.

Hamilton Thorne provides novel solutions for Life Science that reduce cost, increase productivity as much as ten-fold, and enable research breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, stem cell research and fertility markets. The Company’s new LYKOS™, Staccato™ and Stiletto™ laser systems offer significant scientific advantages in the fields of developmental biology, cancer research and other segments of cell biology. Hamilton Thorne’s laser products attach to standard inverted microscopes and operate as robotic micro-surgeons, enabling a wide array of scientific applications and procedures. Each member of Hamilton Thorne’s family of products serves a different research purpose. By simply turning the microscope turret, researchers can have a new world of scientific capabilities at their fingertips.

Hamilton Thorne’s growing customer base includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, fertility clinics, university research centers, and other commercial and academic research establishments worldwide. Current customers include world-leading research labs such as Harvard University, MIT, Yale, McGill University, DuPont, Monsanto, Charles River Labs, Jackson Labs, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Oxford University, and Cambridge.

Neither the Toronto Venture Exchange, nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the exchange), accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com .

For more information, please contact:

David Wolf, President
Hamilton Thorne Ltd.
978-921-2050
ir@hamiltonthorne.com

Lisa Rivero, Director of Corporate Communications
Hamilton Thorne Ltd.
978-921-2050
ir@hamiltonthorne.com

www.hamiltonthorne.com