Hamilton Thorne Receives Patent Approval on Innovative RED-i(R) Target Locator for Its Line of Laser Systems

BEVERLY, MA and TORONTO--(Marketwire - Apr 10, 2012) - Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: HTL), a leading provider of precision laser devices and advanced imaging systems for the fertility, stem cell and developmental biology research markets, today announced the approval of a patent covering its RED-i® target locator for Hamilton Thorne's line of lasers systems. The new patent further strengthens Hamilton Thorne's IP position, and advances the field of microscopy with innovative technology that can be used in intricate research applications such as stem cell research and gene targeting.

The RED-i® targeting option is currently available for Hamilton Thorne's line of laser systems. RED-i® has a built-in collimated red indicator beam target, and when powered, it provides a focused red disk visible in the microscope eyepiece. Thomas Kenny, Hamilton Thorne's Vice President of Engineering, and co-inventor of the RED-i®, along with the Company's CTO, Diarmaid Douglas-Hamilton, commented, "The greatest advantage of using the RED-i® is that you can fire the laser while looking through the eye-pieces of the microscope, and not have to look away at a computer monitor, which can disrupt current workflow. It is completely eye safe and its brightness is adjusted from the laser program."

"The new RED-i® patent builds on our growing patent portfolio of products that enable delicate procedures at the cellular level without damaging precious specimens," said David Wolf, President, Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Thorne Ltd. "The RED-i® feature has proven to be a popular option with our customers, and because of its generic application in microscopy, enables us to pursue potential licensing opportunities."

The RED-i® patent (# 8,149,504) is for an objective assembly for use with a microscope, with the objective having an optical axis that permits an image beam to be emitted through the objective toward the eyepiece of a microscope. For more detailed information about the RED-i® patent, you can search the United States Patent and Trademark Office Website at http://patft.uspto.gov/.

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

Hamilton Thorne designs, manufactures and distributes precision laser devices and advanced imaging 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 regenerative medicine, stem cell research and fertility 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'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.