ADVISORY/Potential Cure for Type 1 Diabetes to be Demonstrated by Physicians At University of Illinois At Chicago Medical Center.

Business Editors/Medical Writers

ADVISORY...for Wednesday (May 16)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Cell Isolation Facility Used for New Procedure is the Only One

of Its Kind in Illinois 

      Note:    Excellent visuals of leading-edge medical technology and
             interviews with physicians leading the program.

      What:    The University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center will
             be giving a tour to media, physicians and other guests of
             a leading-edge, "Class 100" cell isolation facility used

             for a promising new clinical procedure with the goal of
             curing Type 1 diabetes. The procedure may eliminate the
             need for insulin and the long-term complications of
             diabetes for millions of people.

      Who:     Program leaders Cristiana Rastellini, M.D., and Enrico
             Benedetti, M.D. Drs. Rastellini and Benedetti will both
             be present at the tour and available to discuss this
             program, supported by the National Institutes of Health.

      When:    Wednesday, May 16, 2001. The tour begins at 5:30 p.m.,
             following a Continuing Medical Education (CME) event on
             islet cell transplantation that begins at 2 p.m. The
             event coincides with the American Society of
             Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant
             Surgeon's joint Transplant 2001 conference being held
             this week (May 11 through 16) in Chicago.

      Why:     Physicians at the University of Illinois at Chicago
             Medical Center will soon begin injecting pancreatic islet
             cells through the portal vein directly into the liver of
             Type 1 diabetes patients. This procedure may eliminate
             the need for insulin and the long-term complications of
             diabetes for millions of people.

      Where:   University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center,
             Molecular Biology Research Building Auditorium, First
             Floor, 900 South Marshfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612.

      Contact: Call Lauren Mistretta, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide,
             312-397-6017, [e-mail] for more
             information or to arrange transportation to this special
             event.