Open Biosystems and GenomeVision™ Services, a Division of Genome Therapeutics, to Supply Full Length Gene Libraries

Huntsville, AL, January 7, 2003:

Open Biosystems and GenomeVision™ Services, the commercial services division of Genome Therapeutics, announced today a co-marketing and distribution agreement to provide customers with libraries of full-length gene clones. Under this agreement, GenomeVision™ Services will utilize proprietary methodologies to produce cDNA libraries enriched for full-length genes from humans, mice, and various other model organisms. Open Biosystems (http://www.openbiosystems.com) will provide the marketing and sales channels for distribution of these libraries into research communities worldwide. These libraries enable rapid access to thousands of genes suitable for functional analysis. Open Biosystems will provide the clones with no restrictions on the rights to utilize the gene clones for basic research, drug discovery, and functional analysis. The libraries will help researchers increase their understanding of gene function and subsequently may lead to new insights into drug mechanisms.

GenomeVision™ Services (http://www.genomecorp.com) brings extensive knowledge of cDNA library construction and large-scale sequencing. Open Biosystems adds expertise in the manipulation and supply of these gene libraries in formats that permit researchers to rapidly incorporate them into their research. Additionally, Open Biosystems provides sales, marketing, and technical support for these libraries. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About Open Biosystems:

Open Biosystems provides the research reagents that support biologists worldwide in their search to elucidate the function of all human genes. Open Biosystems seeks to provide the research community with collections of genes and genomic DNA combined with leading technology platforms in readily useable formats to expand the understanding of normal and disease development. Contact: Troy Moore, Chief Technology Officer, 1-256-704-4848, tm@openbiosystems.com of Open Biosystems (http://www.openbiosystems. com).

Open Biosystems Announces the Launch of Peptide Array Technologies for Mapping Active Protein Sites

Huntsville, AL, February 3, 2003:

Open Biosystems announced today an exclusive agreement with Pepscan Systems of The Netherlands to supply proprietary Peptide Array technologies. Pepscan Peptide Arrays enable scientists to identify, map, and target the key interaction sites of proteins. Additionally, the Peptide Arrays are instrumental in the determination of epitopes for antibodies and T-cells and profiling the substrate specificity of kinases, proteases and phosphatases.

Patented methodologies and highly automated peptide synthesis and purification equipment are utilized to produce the Combinatorial Peptide Arrays. These are comprised of linear peptides or Structurally Shaped Peptides. The Pepscan Peptide Arrays aid researchers in the functional analysis of protein interactions and permit identification of leads that interact with these proteins. Each array is customized to a project with the number of peptide sequences, the amount of peptide and their purity designated by the individual scientist. These powerful and flexible tools are provided with no restrictions on the rights of use in basic research, drug discovery, and functional analysis. The Pepscan Peptide Arrays offer a unique method for increasing the understanding of protein function, thereby creating new insights into protein function and their subsequent effect on biological processes.

Pepscan Systems brings extensive knowledge of high throughput peptide synthesis and purification. Open Biosystems adds expertise in the manipulation and supply of these arrays in formats that enable researchers to rapidly integrate them into their studies. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About Open Biosystems:

Open Biosystems endeavors to expand access to the genomic reagents that support biologists worldwide in their search to elucidate the function of all genomes. Open Biosystems services the research community with collections of full length genes, peptides and antibodies in uniquely customized formats. Contact: Troy Moore, Chief Technology Officer, 1-256-704-4848, tm@openbiosystems. com.

About Pepscan Systems:

Pepscan provides innovative peptide-based products and services. Pepscan Systems has proprietary technologies for the design, manufacture, and use of large combinatorial arrays of peptides, peptide constructs, peptidometics, and peptide derivatives. Contact: Peter van Dijken, Chief Commercial Officer, 31-320-237205, p.vandijken@pepscan.nl of Pepscan Systems.

The “New Products” page is designed to offer you news and information from businesses serving the genetics community. We welcome your submissions. All submissions are subject to review by the Editor. For more information, contact Al Lucchesi, National Accounts Manager, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106; phone 215-521-8409; fax 215-521-8411; email alucches@lww.com.