Celera Genomics to Provide Human, Mouse, SNP Database Information to Takeda Chemical Industries.

Health/Medical/Business Editors

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--March 30, 2000

Celera Genomics (NYSE:CRA), a PE Corporation business, has signed an agreement with Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. that provides a five-year comprehensive subscription to five of Celera's current databases, which includes Celera's advanced bioinformatics tools and browsers.

Takeda is the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and among the leaders in the pharmaceutical industry in the world.

"Takeda and Celera are ideal partners in efforts to understand how genomic information can enhance the discovery and development of innovative new therapies," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Celera's president and chief scientific officer. "Celera's comprehensive genomic database and associated browsers and software tools, combined with Takeda's scientific research expertise should provide Takeda with an excellent opportunity for new breakthroughs and exciting discoveries."

Takeda's database subscription gives them access to Celera's comprehensive set of bioinformatics systems and tools for viewing, browsing and analyzing genomic information. Takeda will have access until 2005 to five of Celera's databases, which include proprietary information and publicly available data. First, the Celera Human Gene Index provides customers with the set of human genes derived from EST sequencing programs. Second, the Drosophila Genome Database provides the complete sequence of the Drosophila melanogaster genome sequence generated by Celera's whole genome shotgun sequencing strategy. The Drosophila genome database is extensively annotated with gene, protein and biological information. Third, Celera's Human Genome Database is expected to provide the complete sequence of the human genome and the entire collection of human genes with links to associated biological and disease information. Fourth, Celera intends for its SNP Database to be the single most comprehensive source of single nucleotide polymorphisms, the major form of DNA variation responsible for human traits, certain illnesses, and variable drug safety and efficacy. This database may include SNP data from the sequencing of several individuals. Fifth, the Mouse Genome Database being generated by Celera should allow for comparative analysis with the human genome that may be especially significant for the identification of genes and gene regulatory regions of importance to pharmaceutical development.

"We are very pleased that a world-class company like Takeda has realized the potential of combining Celera's genomic databases and software with Takeda's own significant drug discovery and development efforts," said Tony L. White, PE Corporation chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We look forward to collaborating with Takeda and helping them to expand their already extensive product line."

Celera Milestones

Human Genome:

On January 10, 2000, Celera announced it had compiled data covering 90% of the human genome. Celera is on target to complete the sequencing phase of the human genome by summer 2000. After completing this milestone, Celera plans to begin shotgun sequencing of the mouse genome.

Drosophila melanogaster Genome:

On December 30, 1999 Celera completed the release of the Drosophila genome sequence to the public data bank. After doing extensive scientific analysis in conjunction with the Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project (BDGP) and other collaborators, Celera and the public collaborators published the manuscripts in the scientific journal, Science, on March 24, 2000. Celera and its collaborators have identified nearly 14,000 genes in the genome, many in commercially important protein families, which should prove valuable in developing new therapeutics and insecticides. Drosophila is the largest genome sequenced to date, is the first insect and the first organism with a central nervous system to be sequenced.

Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals and whose mission is to contribute to better health and quality of life for people throughout the world. The company is the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan, but also has a significant U.S. presence. The company formed TAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now TAP Holdings, Inc.) in 1985 as a joint venture with Abbott Laboratories to develop and market Takeda's innovative products, a prostate cancer treatment LUPRON DEPOT and an anti-ulcer agent PREVACID, in the United States. TAP's sales have now surpassed $2 billion a year. In 1998 Takeda established a wholly owned U.S. marketing subsidiary, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., which began marketing ACTOS, a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Other ethical drugs in the Takeda line include candesartan cilexetil, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

PE Corporation currently comprises two operating groups. Celera Genomics Group, headquartered in Rockville, MD, intends to become the definitive source of genomic and related medical information. PE Biosystems Group, headquartered in Foster City, CA and with sales of $1.2 billion during fiscal 1999, develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software, and contract related services to the life science industry and research community. Information about the company, including consolidated financial statements of PE Corporation, is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.pecorporation.com or by phoning 800/762-6923.

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) operating losses to date; (2) a unique and developing business plan; (3) dependence on the timely completion of the sequencing and assembly of the human genome; (4) uncertainty of revenue growth; (5) unproven use of genomics information to develop products; (6) intense competition in the evolving genomics industry; (7) dependence on customers in and subject to the risks of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; (8) heavy reliance on strategic relationship with the PE Biosystems group; (9) potential product liability claims; (10) liabilities related to use of hazardous materials; (11) lengthy sales cycle; (12) dependence on the unique expertise of its scientific and management staff; (13) uncertainty of patent, copyright and intellectual property protection; (14) dependence on computer hardware, software, and internet applications; (15) access to biological materials; (16) legal, ethical and social issues affecting demand for products; (17) disruptions caused by rapid growth of the business; (18) government regulation of its products and services; (19) risks of future acquisitions; and (20) other factors that might be described from time to time in PE Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Celera, Celera Genomics, and PE Biosystems are trademarks of PE Corporation.