Applied Biosystems Completes Genome-Wide Human Genetic Variation Map and Introduces Tool for Designing Disease Association Studies Based on SNPs.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

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FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2003

Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced it has completed the development of a genome-wide human genetic variation map based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and introduced a free, downloadable software tool for viewing these variations in the context of individual genes, chromosomal regions, and the entire human genome. The SNPbrowser(TM) Software, available at http://www.allsnps.com/snpbrowser, will be demonstrated at the Applied Biosystems booth #401 on November 5-7, 2003 at the 53rd Annual Meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics in Los Angeles, Calif.

"We are pleased to offer the genetics community these valuable data and easy-to-use and informative tools to simplify the design of disease association studies and map genes that underlie complex traits and diseases," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., president of Applied Biosystems. "The genetic variation data contained within the SNPbrowser(TM) Software offers researchers a rational way to design experiments, select from over 150,000 SNP genotyping assays to study specific regions of the genome, and prioritize which studies are more likely to be successful today based on the pattern of genetic marker associations provided."

The SNPbrowser(TM) Software includes a gene-centric, genome-wide SNP map, practical study design parameters, and links to TaqMan(R) Assays-on-Demand(TM) products -- pre-validated primer and probe sets for SNP genotyping experiments available via the Applied Biosystems online store. Researchers can query the physical location of SNPs on the chromosome and linkage disequilibrium (LD) maps (the degree of statistical association between alleles of neighboring sequence variants), assess the likely statistical power of a study, and view the boundaries of putative haplotype blocks (regions of the genome in which certain allelic variations tend to be inherited together within a population). This combined information, together with an intuitive visualization tool, provides a unique resource for the research community to study SNPs within their genomic and genetic context and is expected to simplify the process of designing disease association studies. Further, unlike array-based methods and other fixed-set approaches, SNPbrowser(TM) Software enables researchers to use LD map information to tailor their SNP selection and other study design parameters to achieve the most effective use of their research budget, without compromising statistical power.

"The value of the human genome for localizing genes for disease susceptibility is enhanced by the genome-wide linkage disequilibrium map, which provides a basis for evolutionary studies that have been difficult before," said Newton E. Morton, Ph.D., professor at the Human Genetics Research Division at the University of Southampton, a pioneer in the development and application of methods for analysis of genetic linkage and Mendelian segregation in humans and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. "This impressive accomplishment puts linkage disequilibrium mapping where linkage was nearly one century ago, with the same excitement and promise."

The Applied Biosystems genetic variation data available for viewing through the SNPbrowser(TM) Software are the result of analysis of over 40 million genotypes generated by Applied Biosystems through the validation of its more than 150,000 SNP genotyping assays. The selected SNPs were validated by individually genotyping 180 DNA samples from African-American, Caucasian, Chinese, and Japanese individuals.

About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems

Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries, develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, Calif., and reported sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2003. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), located in Rockville, Md., and South San Francisco, Calif., is engaged principally in integrating advanced technologies to discover and develop new therapeutics. Celera intends to leverage its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop new therapeutics. Its Celera Discovery System(TM) online platform, marketed exclusively through the Applied Biosystems Knowledge Business, is an integrated source of information based on the human genome and other biological and medical sources. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of novel diagnostic products. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800-762-6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at http://www.appliedbiosystems.com/.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "expect," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Applera Corporation's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Applera Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to (1) rapidly changing technology and dependence on development of new products; (2) the Applied Biosystems Knowledge Business' dependence on the operation of computer hardware, software, and Internet applications and related technology; (3) the accuracy of the underlying data in the SNPbrowser(TM) Software; (4) the utility of the linkage disequilibrium map to design disease association studies; and (5) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Applera does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.

Applied Biosystems is a registered trademark and Applera, Assays-on-Demand, Celera, Celera Diagnostics, Celera Discovery System, Celera Genomics, and SNPbrowser are trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.