Hamilton Thorne to Preview the New IVOS II and Showcase Ground-Breaking IMSI-STRICT(TM) Analysis Software at ASRM 2012

BEVERLY, MA and TORONTO--(Marketwire - Oct 22, 2012) - Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: HTL), a leading provider of precision laser devices and advanced image analysis systems for the fertility, stem cell and developmental biology research markets, today announced that the Company will be attending the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 68th Annual Meeting taking place in San Diego, CA, October 20-24, 2012. ASRM is the premier U.S. meeting on reproductive medicine and an ideal showcase for Hamilton Thorne to preview the Company's new IVOS II CASA system, as well as showcase its newly launched IMSI-STRICT™ imaging analysis software. To learn more about Hamilton Thorne's full line of fertility products, including the new IVOS II unit and IMSI-STRICT™ imaging analysis software, please visit the Company's booth # 607.

Hamilton Thorne will unveil its next generation CASA system, IVOS II, which is the industry-leading integrated visual optical system for sperm analysis. The new IVOS II hardware upgrades are available immediately and will feature a sleek new bezel design with the load button conveniently located away from jog buttons for improved ergonomics. The IVOS II will also include a stronger, faster, and smoother stage motor with acceleration/deceleration options, which reduces abrupt start and stop actions on the sample slide. The IVOS II system will still include vital analysis for motile, progressively motile and static sperm analysis, including actual number counted, sample total, concentrations and percentages.

In addition to the IVOS II, Hamilton Thorne will prominently feature its popular new IMSI-STRICT™ imaging analysis software at ASRM 2012. IMSI-STRICT™ provides fertility clinicians with the ability to select optimum sperm and thus improve outcomes during ICSI procedures. IMSI-STRICT combines Tygerberg Strict Criteria with motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME), and provides software-based categorization using head size, head shape, mid-piece, and number of vacuoles. Using these analyzed parameters, sperm are assigned to one of three categories: normal, sub-normal or abnormal. Current research in the field supports that STRICT Criteria provides the best possible outcomes in fertility research, which has generated a strong demand for the Company's recently launched IMSI-STRICT™ product.

"The ASRM annual meeting continues to be a strategic launching pad for several of our premier products such as the cutting-edge LYKOS® clinical laser introduced in 2011 and our new IMSI-STRICT™ analysis software; therefore it was a natural choice for us to preview the next generation IVOS system at this prestigious fertility event," said David Wolf, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Thorne Ltd. "With its sleeker design, faster, smoother stage and more powerful processor, the IVOS II hardware provides a greater ease-of-use for our customers and is fully compatible with our Version 14 software. In addition, the IVOS II will support future software upgrades as we continue our commitment to this important product line and build out additional capabilities."

Also at ASRM 2012, Hamilton Thorne will be promoting an exciting free Webinar entitled, "Benefits of Using Lasers in Clinical Applications and an In-depth Discussion on Vitrification in Assisted Reproduction." The Webinar will feature guest speaker Dr. Juergen Liebermann, Laboratory Director of FCI's Chicago/River North IVF Lab, and will take place on Tuesday, November 13^th, 2012 at 11:00 AM EST. The Webinar discussion will highlight Hamilton Thorne's infrared laser technology and how it can benefit clinical applications such as assisted hatching and blastomere/trophectoderm biopsy for pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). A special focus of the Webinar discussion will be dedicated to the work and research of Dr. Juergen Liebermann, who will share his laboratory's results on how Hamilton Thorne lasers can be successfully used to improve the embryo vitrification process.

If you are interested in attending the Webinar, please click on this link to view the formal invitation and register for the online event: http://www.hamiltonthorne.com/news/webinars.htm.

In addition, Webinar guest speaker Dr. Liebermann will be presenting an oral session at ASRM on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 12:30 PM entitled, "Cryopreservation and Frozen Embryo Transfer in A.R.T.: Is There Any Benefit in Artificial Collapse of Human Blastocysts Prior to Vitrification?" The presentation will be given in room #8.

About Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (www.hamiltonthorne.com)

Hamilton Thorne designs, manufactures and distributes precision laser devices and advanced image analysis systems for the fertility, stem cell and development biology research markets. It provides novel solutions for Life Science that reduce cost, increase productivity, improve results and enable research breakthroughs in fertility, regenerative medicine, and stem cell research markets. Hamilton Thorne's laser products attach to standard inverted microscopes and operate as robotic micro-surgeons, enabling a wide array of scientific applications and IVF procedures. Its imaging systems improve outcomes in human IVF clinics and animal breeding facilities and provide high-end toxicology analyses. 

Hamilton Thorne was ranked in the 'Top 20' of the "Area's Largest Medical Device Companies" by the Boston Business Journal in October 2012. The Company'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, MIT, Yale, McGill, DuPont, Monsanto, Charles River Labs, Jackson Labs, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Oxford and Cambridge.

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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.