CombiChem Appoints Dennis H. Smith, Ph.D. As Vice President of Software R&D Teig Moves to Advisory Capacity.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 1998--CombiChem Inc. (Nasdaq NMS:CCHM) today announced the appointment of Dennis H. Smith, Ph.D. as vice president, Software R&D reporting to Vicente Anido, Jr., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer.

Prior to joining CombiChem, Smith held a variety of senior R&D management positions at MDL Information Systems Inc., including his most recent position of senior vice president and chief scientist. While at MDL, Smith led major product development efforts, aimed at providing chemical database software and systems for pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and biotechnology companies around the world.

Smith received his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his SB in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has extensive experience in academic and industrial research and development organizations, focusing on computer representation and manipulation of chemical structures and related biological information.

The company also announced today that Steven Teig has resigned as CombiChem's vice president, Advanced Technologies to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity in the high technology sector. He will continue to serve the company in a part-time capacity until year-end.

Beginning Jan. 1, 1999, Teig will serve as an advisor to CombiChem as a member of the company's scientific advisory board.

"We are grateful for Steve's many significant contributions to the company," said Vince Anido. "We look forward to his continued involvement in his new capacity as a member of our SAB."

CombiChem Inc., based in San Diego, is a computational drug discovery company that is applying its proprietary design technology and rapid synthesis capabilities to accelerate the discovery process for new drugs. The company believes its approach offers pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agrochemical companies the opportunity to conduct their discovery efforts in a more productive and cost effective manner.

Using its proprietary Discovery Engine(TM) process, the company focuses on the generation, evolution, and optimization of new lead candidates for its collaborative partners, who will then develop, manufacture, market, and sell the resulting products. CombiChem has established collaborative agreements with Athena Neuroscience Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Elan Corp. plc., ICOS Corp., ImClone Systems Inc., Novartis Crop Protection AG, Roche Bioscience, Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., and Teijin Ltd.

Except for the historical and financial information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release may contain forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including significant fluctuations in quarterly financial performance depending on factors such as timing of revenues recognized and achievement of milestones, a dependence on the efforts of third parties, a new and uncertain technology employed by CombiChem, dependence on intellectual property rights, the competitive nature of the company's industry and risks of obsolescence of certain technology. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements represent the judgment of the company as of the date of this release. CombiChem disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

CombiChem's releases are on the Web at www.combichem.com.