CombiMatrix Molecular Diagnostics Launches Next Enhanced Version of Its Constitutional Genetic Array Test.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:CBMX)(Nasdaq:ACTG) announced today that its CombiMatrix group's subsidiary, Combimatrix Molecular Diagnostics (CMDX), has completed the clinical validation of and has launched the third version of its Constitutional Array Genetic Test (CA1000). The test utilizes the company's Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) array, which includes over 200 new, validated probes obtained through the company's partnerships with The Center of Applied Genomics (TCAG), in Toronto, Canada and the Erasmus University Medical Center, the Netherlands' largest academic medical center.

The CA1000 improves upon the previous CA850 by virtue of its increased coverage of genomic loci found in disease "hotspots" further enhancing the test's ability to detect and characterize common genetic disorders. Moreover, greater background genomic coverage has been added to the CA1000 enabling the broader detection of spurious chromosomal abnormalities. The CA1000 array now has the most comprehensive and robust, clinically validated genomic coverage in the industry. The demonstrated serial development of CMDX's arrays, enabled by platform flexibility and partnerships with leading academic centers, underscores the unique ability to incorporate the latest genetic information available at a pace that is unrivaled in the industry.

"As clinical diagnostics continue to take advantage of the rapidly increasing knowledge of the molecular basis for diseases, cutting-edge test development must be able to incorporate new information as efficiently as possible. In few other diagnostics specialties is this more evident, however challenging, than in genomics testing," said Dr. Mercedes Gorre, VP of Scientific Affairs at CMDX. "From the outset, it has been clear to us that this emergent field of clinical diagnostics will require the ability to respond to the evolving body of knowledge of genetic disease associations and so we developed a system of platform flexibility, content procurement, and clinical validation that could accommodate such standards. An added advantage is that this also allows us to seamlessly integrate client suggested content into our development pipeline further enabling the most clinically relevant tests in the market."

"Combimatrix Molecular Diagnostics has delivered excellent results for us with their 'CA 850' microarray. We are particularly pleased with CMDX's continued advancement of their microarray products and services, and eagerly anticipate utilizing the new 'CA 1000' with enhanced genomic coverage. Their state-of-the-art microarray products and services deliver cutting edge technologies to our patients," said Dr. Dianne Abuelo, M.D., Director of the Genetics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.

"Our use of the CA 850 microarray through Combimatrix Molecular Diagnostics' unique and innovative Tech-Only Program provides us with fast, accurate results customized to our needs, and with the shortest turn around time in the industry. We look forward to the progression from the already impressive CA 850 to CMDX's new CA 1000 microarray for clinical chromosomal analysis. Throughout our experience with CMDX, we have been instantly upgraded to the most advanced version of aCGH technology available. This saltatory technical evolution keeps us in the forefront of patient care in this field. Thanks to CMDX, we are able to consistently offer the very best of aCGH services to our clients," said Dr. Greg Mengden, Ph.D., Laboratory Director, Southwest Genetics Laboratory.

ABOUT TCAG

The Centre for Applied Genomics (TCAG; www.tcag.ca) is a core infrastructure within the Research Institute at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, and is a Science and Technology Platform for the Ontario Genomics Institute and Genome Canada. TCAG's mandate includes the provision of genomics research infrastructure and resources for investigators in the public, private and government/NGO sectors worldwide. Additionally, TCAG provides consultative resources related to genomics project design, data generation and analysis. Dr. Steve Scherer is the Scientific Director of TCAG and is a world-renowned researcher in the areas of genomic variability and the genetics of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. For a detailed biography, see www.tcag.ca/scherer/.

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 arrays, which are semiconductor-based tools for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes, gene mutations and proteins. The CombiMatrix group's technology has a wide range of potential applications in the areas of genomics, proteomics, biosensors, drug discovery, drug development, diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry, material sciences and nanotechnology.

The Acacia Technologies group develops, acquires, and licenses patented technologies. Acacia controls 74 patent portfolios covering technologies used in a wide variety of industries including audio/video enhancement & synchronization, broadcast data retrieval, computer memory cache coherency, credit card fraud protection, database management, data encryption & product activation, digital media transmission (DMT[R]), digital video production, dynamic manufacturing modeling, enhanced Internet navigation, image resolution enhancement, interactive data sharing, interactive television, laptop docking station connectivity, microprocessor enhancement, multi-dimensional bar codes, resource scheduling, spreadsheet automation, and user activated Internet advertising.

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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