Agilent Technologies and Stanford's Reynolds Center Collaborate to Research the Basic Mechanisms of Heart Disease.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2003

Top Scientific Researchers Apply Gene-Expression Techniques to Improve

Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Leading Cause of U.S. Deaths

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced a multi-year research agreement with the Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at Stanford University designed to help deliver better care for heart disease. Scientists at Stanford and Agilent Laboratories are applying Agilent's gene-expression technologies and computational expertise to analyze cardiovascular tissue samples from human patients. The goal is to identify, characterize and validate potential diagnostic and drug targets that could significantly enhance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

Agilent Labs is the central research facility of Agilent Technologies. The Reynolds Center was established at Stanford in 2000. The two research groups are using advanced molecular-biology techniques and tools, including Agilent's DNA microarray platform and custom arrays, to identify genes and gene-expression patterns associated with heart disease.

"Collaborating with Agilent Labs gives us access to a DNA microarray platform that provides leading-edge sensitivity and reproducibility, as well as accomplished molecular biologists who help us optimize our gene-expression experiments," said Dr. Thomas Quertermous, M.D., the William G. Irwin Professor and Chief of Research in Stanford's Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. "Access to Agilent Labs' leading-edge computational experts and tools helps us to rapidly interpret the data from tens of thousands of genes simultaneously as they interact to produce heart disease. This enables the results to be delivered to clinicians and heart patients much more quickly. Agilent's ability to provide microarrays with customized gene content offers researchers the opportunity to discover potential functions of both known genes and previously uncharacterized genes as they relate to specific disease processes."

By collaborating with the Reynolds Center at Stanford, Agilent Labs develops a clear understanding of how deep experts in cardiology discover cardiovascular disease mechanisms, including the issues they face when working with real patient samples such as heart and vascular tissue.

"Collaborative research between Agilent Labs and leading research centers such as the Reynolds Center at Stanford places the Labs at the forefront of life sciences innovation," said Darlene Solomon, vice president and director of Agilent Labs. "This collaboration provides Agilent Labs with an in-depth understanding of the cardiovascular researcher's microarray needs and allows us to explore future uses of microarrays for diagnostic applications -- and, thus, better ways to improve patient care."

About the Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center

The Reynolds Center at Stanford University began operation on Oct. 1, 2000, with an initial grant of $24 million over four years from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. The aim of the Center is to provide better care for patients with atherosclerotic heart disease through the application of modern genetic approaches. Its projects utilize both genetic as well as epidemiological strategies in conjunction with scientists at the Kaiser Permanente of Northern California Division of Research to identify vascular genes associated with atherosclerosis. Its short-term goal is to use new genetic information to improve the diagnosis, risk stratification and application of standard therapies for patients with atherosclerotic heart disease. Its long-term goal is to develop insights into the pathophysiology of coronary disease based on genetic information that will lead to novel and improved approaches to prevention and treatment of heart disease.

Equally important, the center is chartered to build collaborative links with scientists in other institutions and with each other. Stanford's Reynolds Center has established a unique collaboration among basic, clinical and epidemiological investigators including the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif.; and the Framingham (Massachusetts) Heart Study, as well as researchers at a number of universities. Its interdisciplinary approach is designed to promote rapid progress toward untangling the genetic roots of heart disease than has been possible to date.

The Reynolds Center at Stanford is co-directed by Quertermous and Mark Hlatky, M.D., chair of the Department of Health Research and Policy.

Information about the Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at Stanford can be found at http://www-med.stanford.edu/reynolds/.

About Agilent Laboratories

Agilent Laboratories, formerly part of Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, is one of the leading technological research centers in the world. It has played a seminal role in the development of Agilent's high-quality DNA microarrays for life-science research. Through various collaborations with leading academic and government research laboratories, Agilent has continued to perfect its technology while taking part in groundbreaking investigations into the genetic underpinnings of specific diseases and disease variants. These collaborations have already yielded valuable insights into different subtypes of melanoma and breast cancer. Such advances will help medicine move toward an ever more personalized approach to disease prevention and treatment.

Based in Palo Alto, Calif., Agilent Labs draws on the talents of more than 300 researchers and support staff. It conducts applied research in communications, electronics, the life sciences and measurement; fundamental research in bioscience, fiber optics, materials, microelectronics, micromechanical systems and optoelectronics; and basic research. Agilent Labs is focused on driving growth and profit for the company's businesses through technology innovation. Information about Agilent Laboratories is available at www.labs.agilent.com.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 30,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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