CombiChem Promotes David Spellmeyer to Vice President of Computational Chemistry and Molecular Design.

SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 12, 1999--CombiChem Inc. (Nasdaq NMS:CCHM) announced today the promotion of David Spellmeyer, Ph.D. to vice president of Computational Chemistry and Molecular Design.

Dr. Spellmeyer joined CombiChem in 1997 as director of the Molecular Design Group. Dr. Spellmeyer will continue to have overall responsibility for the molecular design group, which is responsible for the application of CombiChem's proprietary software to collaborative and internal discovery projects.

Dr. Spellmeyer worked previously at Chiron, where he was a pioneer in applying computational techniques to library design and at DuPont and DuPont Merck Pharmaceuticals. He served as a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco from 1988 to 1989, where he currently serves as adjunct assistant professor. Dr. Spellmeyer received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1987 and his BS in chemistry and computer science from Purdue University in 1983.

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

Using its proprietary Discovery Engine(TM) process, CombiChem 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, Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Roche Bioscience, Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., and Teijin Limited.

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 industry in which CombiChem and the joint venture operate and risks of obsolescence of certain technology. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements represent the judgment of CombiChem 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.