CombiMatrix Announces First in a Series of Oncology Expression Arrays - Core 67 Cancer Array.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:CBMX) (Nasdaq:ACTG) announced today that its CombiMatrix group has launched a new CustomArray(TM) Core 67 Cancer Array. This array enables researchers to screen and monitor the 67 genes that have recently been identified as markers of multiple types of cancer.

A recent study published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" by a team lead by Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan of the University of Michigan Medical School, identified 67 genes, which were universally activated in multiple cancers. This comprehensive study evaluated expression signatures from 40 studies comprising over 3700 cancer samples. These 67 genes constitute what the University of Michigan scientists call cancer's meta-signature - a core set of essential genes, which triggers the transformation from normal cells to cells that are neoplastic, or growing abnormally. The cancers studied in this program included, prostate, colon, lung, breast, bladder, pancreatic, certain lymphomas, leukemias, and others. The publication can be found at www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.0401994101.

"We are pleased that our work is being recognized by CombiMatrix through the launch of a microarray utilizing our published data," stated Dr. Chinnaiyan. "We are looking forward to additional work in this area and more appropriate products that allow researchers to benefit from our research."

"Our Core 67 Cancer Array will enable researchers to quickly utilize the exceptional work published by Dr. Chinnaiyan's team," stated Dr. Amit Kumar, President and CEO of CombiMatrix. "This study is the type of work that is required for the development of a molecular diagnostics market. As additional research links diseases to genes, CombiMatrix plans to rapidly provide new products enabling researchers to benefit from such new information."

CombiMatrix's technology enables researchers to customize an array for any organism and standardize their expression results on a single platform using the most up to date information while maintaining the capability to compare to existing data. This helps ensure consistent and reproducible array results and facilitates data sharing around the world.

ABOUT CUSTOMARRAY(TM)

CustomArrays(TM) are semiconductor-based arrays (approx. 1 cm(2)) integrated onto a standard 1" x 3" slide format. CombiMatrix synthesizes oligonucleotides in situ to build CustomArrays. This revolutionary technology allows CombiMatrix to deliver CustomArrays in days. Sensitivity and performance metrics are available on the company's main web site and at www.customarray.com.

Researchers can place orders for CustomArray products by contacting CombiMatrix at [phone] or by accessing CombiMatrix's order site at www.customarray.com.

ABOUT ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

Acacia Research Corporation comprises two operating groups: Acacia Technologies Group and CombiMatrix Group.

The CombiMatrix group is developing a platform technology to rapidly produce customizable active biochips, which are semiconductor-based tools for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes, gene mutations and proteins. CombiMatrix's technology has a wide range of applications including DNA synthesis/diagnostics, siRNA synthesis, drug discovery, and immunochemical detection. CombiMatrix provides DNA arrays to researchers under the CustomArray(TM) brand. CombiMatrix's Express Track(SM) drug discovery program is a systems biology approach, using its technology, to target common viral diseases with siRNA compounds.

The Acacia Technologies Group develops, acquires, and licenses patented technologies. Acacia's DMT technology, which is supported by 5 U.S. and 31 foreign patents, relates to audio and audio/video transmission and receiving systems commonly known as audio-on-demand, video-on-demand, and audio/video streaming, and is used for distributing digital content via several means including Internet, cable, satellite and wireless systems.

Acacia Research-Acacia Technologies (Nasdaq:ACTG) and Acacia Research-CombiMatrix (Nasdaq:CBMX) are both classes of common stock issued by Acacia Research Corporation and are intended to reflect the performance of the respective operating groups and are not issued by the operating groups.

Information about the Acacia Technologies Group and the CombiMatrix Group is available at www.acaciaresearch.com.

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