Battelle Announces Formation of Data Mining and Visualization Software Company.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio --(BW HealthWire)--March 7, 2000

Battelle announced today the formation of a new spinout company focusing on cutting-edge data mining and visualization software. The new company will be known as OmniViz, Inc.

The new firm will concentrate on providing high value to the life sciences and chemical industries. The company's products also will be made available to academic and government institutions.

OmniViz, Inc. will utilize Battelle's innovative OmniViz Pro(TM) software - which addresses the challenge of converting large amounts of data into knowledge and competitive advantage in the marketplace. OmniViz Pro(TM) is the only technology that allows the user to analyze text, numerical, categorical, and genomic sequence data in an integrated manner. The OmniViz Pro(TM) software performs tasks effectively and efficiently, saving time and resources. OmniViz Pro(TM) reveals previously unknown relationships without the need for prior knowledge. Other data mining tools simply provide a way to test previously held hypotheses. These tools often miss the truly significant discoveries embedded within large databases.

"We are very excited about the entry of OmniViz, Inc. into the marketplace," said Ben Maiden, Senior VP and General Manager for Battelle's Chemical Products Market Sector. "Our OmniViz Pro(TM) software will be of great value to companies in the life sciences and chemical industries. In fact, we recently initiated a collaboration with the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute and Janssen Research Foundation - Johnson & Johnson companies (NYSE:JNJ) - to develop future generations of OmniViz Pro(TM) and other data mining and visualization software. Other collaborations will be announced in the near future."

Battelle will be releasing OmniViz Pro(TM) Version 1.0 on a selected basis in April and to the broader marketplace shortly thereafter. Maiden indicated that a CEO will be hired in the near future to lead the OmniViz, Inc. spinout. Maiden is serving as interim CEO.

In emphasizing the market need for solutions provided by the OmniViz Pro(TM) software, Bob Quinn, VP for Battelle's Chemical Products Market Sector, added, "Thanks to the Human Genome Project and similar private initiatives, together with the tremendous advances being made in technologies such as gene expression arrays, chemical and life scientists are being inundated with data. Unfortunately, data analysis tools have not kept pace with these advances. Companies often receive the same data at the same time. The winners will be those companies that can quickly transform raw data into sources of high value information - such as drug development targets and leads."

Battelle focuses on product development, technology development, and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle has revenues of nearly $1 billion and more than 60 locations around the world. Its technological expertise has been a major factor in the development of some of the world's most successful products - from the compact disc to medical products to the office copier. Battelle has previously developed spinouts and ventures in such areas as software, thin-film coatings, fiber optics, and pharmaceuticals.

For more information, contact Bob Quinn at [phone] ([e-mail]) or Media Relations Manager, Katy Delaney at [phone], or visit www.omniviz.com.