Celera Genomics and Gemini Research Collaborate in Disease Gene Hunt.

ROCKVILLE, MD/CAMBRIDGE, UK --(BW HEALTHWIRE)--Sept. 2, 1999--

Celera Genomics (NYSE:CRA) a PE Corporation business and Gemini Research Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Gemini Holdings plc) today announced that they have entered a collaboration to discover genes and genetic polymorphisms associated with common, chronic, age-related diseases. The collaboration combines Gemini's pioneering clinical genetics approach with Celera's DNA sequence information and computational gene discovery capability. Gemini's unique method of gene function elucidation involves linking genetic differences in a defined population to variations in some 1,500 clinically significant "risk traits" collected from large numbers of identical and non-identical twin subjects.

The research will focus on those genetic regions ("loci") which Gemini has previously identified as likely to harbor genes that influence defined risk traits and hence the ultimate manifestation of disease. Under the terms of the agreement, both parties will jointly nominate traits and loci for research into the underlying genetic associations.

Celera and Gemini intend to commercialize the jointly owned results of the collaboration by jointly licensing the rights to discoveries to third parties interested in the development of gene-based therapeutics and diagnostic products. Both parties will share in the revenues received from licensing fees, milestone payments, and royalties arising from the collaboration.

The agreement provides that Gemini will work exclusively with Celera within those regions pursued by the collaboration. Both Gemini and Celera intend to seek further alliances with respect to other regions.

Celera's mission is to become the definitive source of genomic and related information to enhance pharmaceutical, medical and agricultural research and development. "This research collaboration with Gemini will add value to our genomic information. Their twin-based genetic traits combined with Celera's sequence information will help find the genetic basis of the most common age-related diseases," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer of Celera.

"Celera possesses not only the most powerful gene sequencing capability in the world but also an infrastructure of complementary bioinformatics tools for the efficient analysis of vast quantities of genetic information," said Paul Kelly, M.D., FRACP, Gemini's chief executive officer. "From Gemini's perspective, our integrated science and technology platform has enabled us to identify numerous regions in the human genome which appear to harbor genes associated with age-related diseases. By combining our own strengths with those of Celera and other partners, we expect to dramatically accelerate the discovery of disease-associated genes, enabling the delivery of key therapeutic and diagnostic targets."

PE Corporation currently comprises two operating groups: PE Biosystems Group and Celera Genomics Group. PE Biosystems, with sales of $1.1 billion during fiscal 1999, develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software and contract-related services to the life science industry and research community. Celera Genomics, a newly formed business unit, intends to become the definitive source of genomic and related medical information. Information about the Company is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.pe-corp.com or by phoning 800.762.6923.

Gemini Research Ltd is a unique clinical genetics company incorporating human genetics, genomics, bioinformatics and a comprehensive clinical information resource in an integrated science and technology platform. Gemini's core technologies offer an unparalleled solution to accelerating drug discovery by revealing novel disease-associated targets. Gemini has taken a radically new approach to the field of gene discovery by linking genetic and clinical/physiological information through the study of both identical and non-identical twins.

Gemini Research Ltd is headquartered in Cambridge, UK; further information about the company is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.gemini-research.co.uk or by phoning [phone].

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on PE 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, PE 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. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development, and results of Celera Genomics' businesses include but are not limited to (1) early stage of operations; (2) no precedent for Celera Genomics' business plan; (3) need to manage rapid growth; (4) uncertainty of successful integration of GenScope and AgGen; (5) uncertainty of sequencing strategy; (6) uncertainty of successful operation of new sequencers and sequencing operations; (7) uncertainty of polymorphism data; (8) initial reliance on pharmaceutical industry; (9) anticipated future losses and uncertainty of operating results; (10) high dependence on key employees; (11) uncertain protection of intellectual property and proprietary rights; (12) adverse effect of public disclosure of genomic sequence data; (13) highly competitive business; (14) uncertainty of success of Year 2000 compliance; and (15) other factors that might be described from time to time in PE Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.