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Press Releases

Mount Sinai Services to Offer SQI Diagnostics’ QuantiSpot RA Multiplexed Test Panel to its Customers

Released: Mar 10, 2009

Toronto, Canada, March 10, 2009 - SQI Diagnostics Inc. (TSX-Venture: SQD), a medical systems automation company focused on evolving laboratory-based biomarker testing, today announced that its validation and development partner, Mount Sinai Services, Inc. (MSS) in Toronto will begin offering SQI’s QuantiSpot RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) test system to its customers. Mount Sinai Services’ customer base consists of other hospital laboratories, companies performing clinical trials and reference labs.

The QuantiSpot RA test, used on SQI’s SQiDworks™ automated multiplexing platform, was approved by Health Canada in November, 2008. QuantiSpot RA kits detects and quantifies four biomarkers associated with rheumatoid arthritis: anti-CCP IgG and Rheumatoid Factor IgG, IgA and IgM.

"Our emerging customer relationship with Mount Sinai Services marks the beginning of our commercialization process," said Claude Ricks, CEO of SQI Diagnostics. "We look forward to working with MSS to support its growth of rheumatoid arthritis multiplexed testing on SQI’s platform and to selling them our novel tests."

"We have been working with SQI Diagnostics through its development of the QuantiSpot RA panel and are looking forward to be the first to offer the test to our customers," said Dr. Kenneth Pritzker, Managing Director, Mount Sinai Services. "We believe there is a great opportunity to be the first institution to commercially use the only multiplexed, autoimmune platform approved in Canada. The benefits of the SQI system will provide us significant labour savings compared to performing these same tests in titre plates."

The SQiDworks automated platform is a significant advancement from the current industry standard methods for biomarker testing, which can be inefficient and labour intensive. The platform is used to analyze multiple-biomarkers in a fully automated 'load-and-go' process. The platform incorporates the Company’s proprietary IgX-Plex™ technology to allow multiplexed quantification of target antibody classes (IgA, IgG, IgM) for multiple biomarkers. The lead test for the platform is the QuantiSpot RA assay, which provides simultaneous analysis of four biomarkers commonly tested and used to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis, including the anti-CCP-IgG marker that has been adopted rapidly over the last five years as the leading diagnostic marker for rheumatoid arthritis.

About SQiDworks
The SQiDworks Diagnostics Platform is a fully-automated fluidics workstation, scanner and analytical device used to process SQI Diagnostics proprietary QuantiSpot microarray test devices. The platform fully integrates all assay steps for hands-free work-flow and is compatible with standard lab automation systems. The platform is capable of processing up to 240 patient samples per run, and, when combined with the Company’s QuantiSpot multiplexed tests, can produce quantified determinations for up to 960 individual test results per hour resulting in significant laboratory efficiencies and cost-savings.

About QuantiSpot
The SQI Diagnostics microarray device, QuantiSpot, is a multiplexed assay consumable for use with the SQiDworks workstation. QuantiSpot tests are currently being developed for the detection and quantification of biomarkers used in the diagnosis of Autoimmune Disease, Infectious Disease and Allergic conditions, among others. Each of the 96 wells of the QuantiSpot device contains proprietary microarrays for duplicate antibody capture, in-sample calibration and redundant test controls. When combined with the SQiDworks fully-automated workstation, users are able to process multiplexed assays to quantify serum concentrations of up to 12 individual biomarkers or the qualitative detection of up to 24 biomarkers per patient.

About SQI Diagnostics
SQI Diagnostics is a medical systems company that develops proprietary technology in multiplexing, miniaturization and automation. SQI provides laboratories the ability to simultaneously analyze multiple biomarkers, deliver accurate and quantitative patient results in less time, significantly reduce labor, and increase profits...All in One Drop. Please visit www.sqidiagnostics.com.

About Mount Sinai Services
Mount Sinai Services, Inc. (MSS) is the commercial arm of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada. MSS provides extensive custom laboratory services for researchers, pharmaceutical companies and other industry partners. These services include: project management, consultation for clinical trials, pathology, scientific/research projects, screening programs such as antenatal lab services, infectious disease, drug development and evaluation for safety and pharmacokinetics, genetic and molecular diagnostics, as well as, research & development for diagnostic assays for new platforms or for medical devices. Mount Sinai Services through its exclusive relationship with Mount Sinai Hospital, complies with Canada's Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standard, is audited by the FDA and is accredited by the College of American Pathologists. For additional information please visit www.mountsinaiservices.com.

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Certain information in this press release is based on beliefs and assumptions of the Company's senior management and information currently available to it that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

This release was prepared by management of the Company who takes full responsibility for its contents. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.