CombiMatrix Molecular Diagnostics Launches and Ships First Microarray Diagnostic Product Ahead of Schedule.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Acacia Research Corporation (NASDAQ:CBMX) (NASDAQ:ACTG) announced today its CombiMatrix group's subsidiary CombiMatrix Molecular Diagnostics (CMDX) has begun shipment of its first diagnostic microarray product.

"This product, developed in conjunction with Array Genomics of France, has been designed to detect genomic copy number variations associated with constitutional chromosome imbalances as well as with those associated with over 40 defined genetic diseases and syndromes, such as DiGeorge and William's syndromes," said Dr. Mansoor Mohammed, CSO and Vice President of CMDX. "The more we learn about the heterogeneity with which specific genetic syndromes can be manifested, the more we begin to appreciate the need for array CGH in aiding more accurate differential diagnoses."

Roughly two thirds of patients, mostly children, who exhibit genetic developmental disorders are currently undiagnosed due to the lack of technology for such diagnosis. This inability to diagnose the underlying cause of the disorder makes it difficult to provide appropriate medication or useful genetic counseling. Our array, which can be used for pre- and post-natal analysis, will provide much greater genetic information for diagnosing and treating these disorders, than is available through conventional cytogenetic testing. This array is the first of several arrays in our pipeline that will help to enable the era of personalized medicine based on a genetic analysis of individual patients.

"We are pleased to have launched our first product ahead of schedule," stated Matt Watson, CEO of CMDX. "We began shipping this product to Europe this week. We will require FDA approval before we can sell the arrays for diagnostic applications in the U.S. This regulatory hurdle will not prevent us from selling the arrays domestically for research purposes, however. Also, now that we have achieved our CLIA certification, we will soon begin offering genetic testing services in our clinical laboratory. This quarter our clinical services will be based on this CGH array, and in the late third quarter of this year we will begin providing melanoma (skin cancer) diagnosis and typing services to our customers."

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's 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 42 patent portfolios, which include over 160 U.S. patents, and certain foreign counterparts, 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, hearing aid ECS, image resolution enhancement, interactive data sharing, interactive television, interstitial Internet advertising, laptop docking station connectivity, microprocessor enhancement, multi-dimensional bar codes, network data storage, resource scheduling, rotational video imaging and spreadsheet automation.

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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This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the economic slowdown affecting technology companies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.