Brian Metcalf, Ph.D., Appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Drug Discovery Scientist for Incyte Genomics; Dr. Metcalf Also Named Site Head for Incyte's New East Coast Operations.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 7, 2002

Incyte Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq:INCY), the leading genomic information company, announced today that Brian Metcalf, Ph.D., has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Drug Discovery Scientist for Incyte Genomics. Dr. Metcalf will join Incyte on February 7, 2002, reporting to Robert Stein, M.D, Ph.D., Incyte's President and Chief Scientific Officer.

Brian Metcalf, Ph.D., was most recently Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer with Kosan Biosciences, Inc. Prior to his position with Kosan, Dr. Metcalf was Senior Vice President, Discovery Chemistry & Platform Technologies worldwide for SmithKline Beecham. Dr. Metcalf received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in organic chemistry from the University of Western Australia, and performed postdoctoral work at Stanford University. He has published approximately 120 scientific papers and book chapters, and is co-inventor on 36 issued patents, including the anti-epileptic drug Vigabatrin.

"We are extremely pleased to have attracted Dr. Metcalf to Incyte. Brian has both a very successful pharmaceutical track record and the innovative mindset we are seeking to build on at Incyte." said Robert Stein, M.D, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer for Incyte. "Brian's strong medicinal chemistry and drug discovery background will be invaluable to help establish and drive Incyte's drug discovery efforts."

Incyte Genomics, Inc. has the largest commercial portfolio of issued United States patents covering human, full-length genes and the proteins they encode and is leveraging its leading intellectual property and genomic information position to be a leader in therapeutic small molecule, secreted protein and antibody discoveries. In addition, Incyte has also developed the leading integrated platform of genomic technologies designed to aid in the understanding of the molecular basis of disease. Incyte develops and markets genomic databases and licenses pharmaceutically relevant intellectual property. These offerings facilitate pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers in their drug discovery and development; including gene discovery, understanding disease pathways, identifying new disease targets and the discovery and correlation of gene sequence variation to disease. For more information, visit Incyte's Web site at http://www.incyte.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including without limitation statements as to the ability of Incyte's products and services to enhance the drug discovery and development efforts of its customers and Incyte's ability to leverage its intellectual property position to become a leader in therapeutic discoveries, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the impact of competition and alternative technologies, processes and approaches on Incyte's business; Incyte's ability to compete against competitors that may have greater financial or other resources; changes in consumer demand for Incyte's products and services; changes in Incyte's business plan; Incyte's ability to obtain patent protection for its discoveries and to continue to be effective in expanding its patent coverage; and other risks detailed from time to time in Incyte's SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001. Incyte disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.