Merck

LIFESPAN BIOSCIENCES SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH MERCK TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO GPCR LOCALIZATION DATABASE

SEATTLE (January 23, 2001) - LifeSpan Biosciences, Inc., a leading genomics company that uses molecular pathology to profile and localize gene expression in human diseases, today announced that it has signed an agreement providing Merck & Co., Inc. access to its database of information on the expression and localization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).  As an early subscriber to LifeSpan's GPCR database, Merck will receive access to localization data on GPCR targets, which will be added continuously to the database over the next twelve months.  Merck will use the database to identify and validate new gene targets for drug discovery.

G protein-coupled receptors are a large family of cell-surface molecules that act as cellular receptors for many biologically active compounds and pharmaceuticals, including major drugs.  Access to detailed information included in this database on the expression and localization of these genes in normal and diseased tissues will provide greater insight into their function and potential value as new drug targets.

"GPCRs are an important class of molecules, and LifeSpan's molecular pathology technology will help Merck make critical decisions about which genes to target in their drug discovery efforts," said Dr. Joseph P. Brown, President and CEO of LifeSpan Biosciences.

The significance of LifeSpan's GPCR database to the pharmaceutical industry lies in the utilization of sub-cellular human tissue expression information for GPCR's.  LifeSpan is using specific antibodies together with its extensive bank of normal and pathological tissue specimens to measure expression of GPCRs in a wide range of normal and diseased tissues.  The results are interpreted by LifeSpan's in-house pathologists and used to construct a relational database.  The database contains detailed information on GPCR expression in each cell type for the tissues and diseases studied along with high-resolution digital images.  Other pharmaceutical subscribers to LifeSpan's GPCR Database are Pfizer and the Novartis Research Foundation.

"As a consequence of the genomics revolution, our customers find themselves swimming in a sea of genes," said Dr. Glenna C. Burmer, LifeSpan's Chief Scientific Officer.  "Our molecular pathology approach provides the next generation of information that allows them to prioritize the best potential drug targets from among the many candidates that are identified by high-throughput sequencing and gene chips."

About LifeSpan Biosciences, Inc.

LifeSpan Biosciences, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is a privately held genomics company founded in 1995 that utilizes trademarked molecular pathology and bioinformatics technology, to profile and localize gene expression in normal and diseased human tissues for its more than 50 pharmaceutical company customers in Europe, Asia and North America.  LifeSpan is currently applying its technology and expertise to the production of a comprehensive atlas on the expression of each of the 100,000 human genes in both normal and diseased tissues.

About Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc., is a leading research-driven pharmaceutical products and service company.  Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of innovative products to improve human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures.  Merck-Medco Managed Care manages pharmacy benefits for employers, insurers and other plan sponsors, encouraging the appropriate use of medicines and providing disease management programs.  Through these complementary capabilities, Merck works to improve quality of life and contain overall health-care costs.