CombiMatrix and SAIC to Jointly Develop Biothreat Identification Microarrays.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:CBMX) (Nasdaq:ACTG) announced today that its CombiMatrix group and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), the nation's largest employee-owned research and engineering company, will work together to develop microarrays for the identification of multiple biothreat organisms. Both companies have Department of Defense (DoD) contracts from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency that support the development and delivery of complementary products. Leveraging their respective DoD funding can help expedite the development and testing of new identification and diagnostic assays and products against conventional biothreat agents and emerging and genetically engineered pathogens.

SAIC has developed a genome assay and data mining tools that identify genomic sequences that are unique to specific microbial biothreat agents. Dr. R. Paul Schaudies, SAIC Vice President of Chemical and Biological Defense, explained, "By combining the bioinformatics of our proprietary Fast Identification of Unique Genomic Regions (FIGUR) software with a highly-multiplexed microarray we can hopefully make false positive readings a thing of the past. Protocols and procedures, along with microarrays, will be transferred to government laboratories for independent validation."

CombiMatrix has developed a microarray platform, based upon complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Through proprietary instrumentation and probe design software, CombiMatrix can produce single or multiple microarrays with unique DNA sequences on each of its 12,000 features. This gives the customer a rapid and versatile approach to defining and changing microarray array content. Under the DoD contract, CombiMatrix is developing electrochemical detection as an alternative to the current use of large and expensive optical readers and dyes used in fluorescence detection.

"We are pleased to be working with SAIC towards a common goal that will benefit the DoD and our nation," said Dr. David Danley, Director of Homeland Security and Defense Programs for CombiMatrix. "This effort allows us to leverage our DoD resources using proven assays and technologies. When we have completed development of electrochemical detection, we will then be able to move genomic assays out of the lab and into the field."

ABOUT SAIC

SAIC is the nation's largest employee-owned research and engineering company, providing information technology, systems integration and eSolutions to commercial and government customers. SAIC engineers and scientists work to solve complex technical problems in national and homeland security, energy, the environment, space, telecommunications, health care, transportation and logistics. With annual revenues of $6.7 billion, SAIC and its subsidiaries, including Telcordia Technologies, have more than 44,000 employees at offices in more than 150 cities worldwide. More information about SAIC can be found on the Internet at www.saic.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(R) 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's Internet Access Redirection ("IAR") technology covers redirected Internet registrations commonly used at wireless hotspots and hotels.

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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