Integrated Genomics Signs Research and Licensing Agreement with Roche's Vitamins Division

CHICAGO, IL and Nutley, NJ - January 13, 2001

Integrated Genomics, Inc. announced today it had signed a research and licensing agreement with Roche Vitamins Inc. (RVI) to perform work in the area of microbial genomics. Under the terms of the agreement, Integrated Genomics will sequence and analyze bacterial genomes that could lead to significant improvements in Roche's ability to produce vitamins, carotenoids and fine chemicals used in foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and animal feeds. RVI will also license Integrated Genomics' genome analysis suite ERGO™.

ERGO™ is a bioinformatics suite for functional annotation of sequence data, functional reconstruction, and modeling. This environment for comparative analysis of genomes includes a database of DNA sequences from more than 280 species, of which more than two dozens are proprietary, a database of metabolic pathways, and a comprehensive computerized collection of functional pathways. These actively curated databases offer a higher order of information than simple gene sequences for an industry in search of a new generation of fermentation organisms for chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing in addition to novel drug leads and targets. Integrated into ERGO™ are proprietary tools that allow users to mine sequence data in novel ways. One such tool incorporates chromosome positional information to permit functional assignments to previously unidentified genes and to complete missing steps in recognized pathways.

"We have one of the largest sequencing facilities on the market," said Michael Fonstein, CEO of Integrated Genomics. "However, it is now clear that having sequence data is just the beginning. This is where one area of our core expertise becomes critical. Cross-genome analysis using ERGO allows the discovery of more functions, more pathways, more bottlenecks in fermentation, and many other applications."

"We're very pleased to be working with Roche," Fonstein added, "because they're on the forefront in the field of vitamins and micronutrients. We're confident that the capabilities that Integrated Genomics offers, including a leading genome sequencing facility and a cutting-edge bioinformatics platform, will complement and expedite Roche's genomic research efforts."

About Integrated Genomics

Integrated Genomics (IG) is a private company located in Chicago, Illinois. The company provides full genomic services including high throughput DNA sequencing, assembly, annotation, and metabolic reconstruction for industrial and academic clients. Initially focused on bacterial genomes, IG has a database of more than 280 genomes and more than 3,500 biochemical pathways, allowing the company to produce wiring diagrams for cellular functionality. The new gene assignments permitted by using the ERGO™ suite are tested in a biochemical lab, leading to the identification of potential targets for new antibiotics or for strain engineering for improved industrial fermentation. The recent addition of a large number of new sequenators allows the company to expand its repertoire to include eukaryotic organisms, beginning with fungi.

This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Company's plans to increase its customer base, enhance its technologies, and intensify its internal product development programs. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's early stage of development, technological uncertainty and product development risks, uncertainty of additional funding, reliance on research collaborations, competition, the Company's ability to protect its patents and proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to commercialization rights.

Contact:
Yuri Nikolski, Ph.D.
Vice President, Business Development
Integrated Genomics
yuri@IntegratedGenomics.com