Agilent Technologies, Asylum Research Sign Joint Agreement To Develop Nanotechnology Measurements, Applications

PALO ALTO, Calif. & SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2005--Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) and Asylum Research have signed a joint development agreement to collaborate on technologies and applications in the area of nanotechnology measurements. Agilent is also making an equity investment in the Santa Barbara-based company. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Agilent's Nanotechnology Measurements Division (NMD), part of the company's test and measurement business, is focused on the development of tools for the growing nanotechnology market. Asylum Research is a recognized leader in the development of Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs), the principal measurement tools used by researchers working in nanotechnology. AFMs are used to measure the shape and properties of materials at the nanometer scale, and can also move particles and molecules from one position to another.

“The partnership will allow each company to leverage its strengths, which include measurement science, optics, biotechnology and micromechanics. We look forward to our association with Agilent and the exciting possibilities ahead.”

The agreement announced today will allow Agilent to begin developing new features for AFMs as well as gain more knowledge about AFM technologies and customer needs. It will also enable the companies to jointly develop techniques and applications by leveraging the technologies and strengths of each organization.

"The joint development agreement underscores our commitment to new technologies and markets," said Bob Burns, vice president and general manager of Agilent's NMD. "The AFM market is a significant portion of the $1 billion market for nanotechnology measurement tools, with the segment growing at close to 20 percent a year."

"We expect this collaboration to result in applications development and new measurements for atomic force microscopy," said Dr. Roger Proksch, president of Asylum. "The partnership will allow each company to leverage its strengths, which include measurement science, optics, biotechnology and micromechanics. We look forward to our association with Agilent and the exciting possibilities ahead."

About Asylum Research

Asylum Research is an employee-owned company that manufactures advanced scientific instrumentation, including AFMs/Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPMs), for nanoscale science and technology. Asylum, founded in 1999, is based in Santa Barbara, California. Information about Asylum is available on the Web at www.AsylumResearch.com.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, information regarding Agilent's ability to develop new features for Atomic Force Microscopes and the ability of Agilent and Asylum Research to jointly develop techniques, applications and measurements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Agilent's results to differ materially from management's current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to risks associated with changes in demand for applications and technologies in the area of nanotechnology measurements. In addition, other risks that Agilent faces in running its operations include the ability to execute successfully through business cycles while it continues to implement cost reductions; the ability to meet and achieve the benefits of its cost-reduction goals and otherwise successfully adapt its cost structures to continuing changes in business conditions; ongoing competitive, pricing and gross margin pressures; the risk that our cost-cutting initiatives will impair our ability to develop products and remain competitive and to operate effectively; the impact of geopolitical uncertainties on our markets and our ability to conduct business; the ability to improve asset performance to adapt to changes in demand; the ability to successfully introduce new products at the right time, price and mix and other risks detailed in Agilent's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2004, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2005. Forward-looking statements are based on the belief and assumptions of Agilent's management and on currently available information. Agilent undertakes no responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

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