Clarification of Facts Regarding FBI Controlled Shipment from Ascent Scientific, LLC of Puffer Fish Poison to Illinois Man Plotting to Kill Wife

Princeton, New Jersey; August 20, 2011 - Life science reagent supplier Ascent Scientific LLC has assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in investigating the case of an Illinois man, charged with plotting to kill his wife. Edward Bachner, of suburban Lake-in-the-Hills, was sent an FBI controlled shipment of the toxin through Ascent Scientific. Mr. Bachner had falsely represented himself to Ascent Scientific as "Dr. Backer" and sought to place an order for the toxin. He claimed that he required the toxin for "marine antitoxin research purposes." Ascent Scientific's security protocols immediately flagged this order as suspicious and the FBI was contacted.

Contrary to the reports of several news organizations, Ascent Scientific did not provide Tetrodotoxin, commonly referred to as "puffer fish poison," to Mr. Bachner. Ascent Scientific is proud that its rigorous and stringent security protocols identified that Mr. Bachner's order was not legitimate, and are pleased to have been of assistance to the FBI in this case.

Ascent Scientific, LLC is a highly respected wholesale distributor of chemical products for use by the scientific community in conducting life science research. Ascent Scientific offers high quality receptor ligands together with synthetic chemistry services for pharmaceutical and chemistry-related industries. Ascent Scientific's global headquarters are located in Bristol, United Kingdom, with its Asian headquarters in Incheon, Korea and US headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey.

Media contact information:
Samantha Roome, PhD - Global Head of Marketing & Communications.

Tel: +44 (0)117 982 99 88
Fax: +44 (0)2030 700 369
sroome@ascentscientific.co.uk
www.ascentscientific.com

Case details:
CASE NO = 08 CR 50029
United States of America v. Edward F. Bachner IV before Judge Frederick J. Kapala; Violations: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 373, 1958, 175(a), 175(b) and 287.

Court document / news source reference:
(1) the Superceding Indictment filed in the United State District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Western Division. See the above Case No. and (2) Special Agent Royden R. Rice of the FBI, Chicago Bureau: (312) 829-1199 or Royden.Rice@ic.fbi.gov.

About Ascent Scientific

Ascent Scientific LLC is the U.S. sales and distribution office of U.K. based Ascent Scientific Ltd.

Ascent Scientific offers a range of high quality receptor ligands and custom synthesis at prices so low that as many researchers as possible will be able to afford them.

The Low-Cost Ligand range includes receptor ligands and signalling tools in research areas such as glutamate, GABA, ion channels, cannabinoids, opioids, 5-HT and more.

The Low-Cost Chemistry Service provides cost-effective custom synthesis of organic molecules, fluorescent labels, standards & references, stable isotope labels, receptor ligands and more.

For more information visit www.ascentscientific.com