Exhibit 99.1

Contacts:
Third Wave Technologies                              Vida Communications
Rod Hise                                             Stephanie Diaz (investors)
(608) 663-4010                                       (415) 885-2298

                                                     Tim Brons (media)
                                                     (646) 319-8981

For Immediate Release

          Jury Finds Stratagene Willfully Infringed Third Wave Patents

                 Also awards Third Wave $5.3 million in damages

      MADISON, Wis., Sept. 6, 2005--Third Wave Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: TWTI)
today announced that a federal jury has found Stratagene liable for willful
patent infringement and awarded Third Wave $5.3 million in damages. Third Wave
will seek additional damages, given the willful infringement verdict.

      Stratagene last week was found guilty of infringing two key Third Wave
patents. Stratagene had aggressively challenged the validity of those patents,
but the jury also upheld their validity.

      Third Wave filed suit against Stratagene alleging the infringement in U.S.
District Court in September 2004. Third Wave seeks a permanent injunction and
destruction of the infringing "FullVelocity" QPCR and QRT-PCR products.

      With the jury's findings, Third Wave's unique position in nucleic acid
testing has been galvanized. Given the expiration of the patents for basic
polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, Third Wave is one of a very few companies
that can leverage its nucleic acid testing (NAT) chemistry--the Invader
technology--with basic PCR.

      "The positive outcome of this trial for Third Wave underscores the value
of the Invader chemistry in the emerging nucleic acid testing market," said John
Puisis, president and chief executive officer of Third Wave. "It is clear that
many companies want to enter the NAT market, especially given the expiration of
basic PCR patents. With the sensitivity of off-patent PCR and the specificity of
the Invader chemistry, Third Wave has the unique opportunity to offer better
technology than TaqMan, the current industry-leading NAT chemistry. This ability
enables Third Wave to develop the best performing products that set a new
standard for the industry.

      "Because Third Wave owns something of such substantial value, we will
continue to vigorously protect of our patent estate," Mr. Puisis said. "We are
pleased to see our initial


patents withstand an aggressive legal battle. We have a broad patent estate to
leverage and its strength continues to grow."

Third Wave's Invader technology is used to analyze, detect and measure DNA and
RNA, the foundation of genetic material and infectious agents. The Invader
technology and the methods of using it are protected by a suite of more than 45
issued patents; more than 100 additional Third Wave patents are pending.

      About Third Wave Technologies

      Third Wave Technologies is a leader in the development and marketing of
molecular diagnostics for a variety of DNA and RNA analysis applications,
providing physicians and researchers with superior molecular solutions. Third
Wave's Invader(R) technology provides the company's customers with exceptional
performance, scalability and ease of use. The company offers a number of
clinical products based on its Invader(R) technology for genetic testing related
to multiple disease areas. For more information about Third Wave and its
products, please visit the company's website at www.twt.com.

All statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially for Third Wave from those projected. Those factors
include risks and uncertainties relating to technological approaches of Third
Wave and its competitors, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance,
cost and pricing of Third Wave products, dependence on collaborative partners
and commercial customers, successful performance under collaborative and
commercial agreements, competition, the strength of the Third Wave intellectual
property, the intellectual property of others and other risk factors identified
in the documents Third Wave has filed, or will file, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Copies of the Third Wave filings with the SEC may be
obtained from the SEC Internet site at www.sec.gov. Third Wave expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any
change in Third Wave's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based. Third Wave
Technologies, Invader and the Third Wave logo are trademarks of Third Wave
Technologies, Inc.