Cytyc and Digene Announce Exclusive Co-Promotion Agreement.

Business/Technology Editors & Health/Medical Writers

BOXBOROUGH, Mass. & GAITHERSBURG, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 18, 2001

Cytyc Corporation (Nasdaq:CYTC) and Digene Corporation (Nasdaq:DIGE) today announced an exclusive, co-promotion agreement in the United States and Puerto Rico for up to two-and-one-half years. The companies will promote the benefits of testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) with Digene's Hybrid Capture(R) 2 HPV Test directly from Cytyc's ThinPrep(R) Pap Test(TM) collection vial. Initially, the program will focus on establishing HPV DNA testing, using the residual material in ThinPrep Pap Test vials, as the optimal patient management strategy for borderline cytology results. Cytyc's extensive physician sales force will promote the ThinPrep/HC2 HPV triage strategy to the 30,000 practicing OB/GYNs in the United States.

"The ThinPrep Pap Test and HC2 test together provide the most accurate method for cervical cancer screening," said Evan Jones, chairman and chief executive officer of Digene Corporation. "We expect the combined benefits of these two products will be further validated in the National Cancer Institute's ALTS trial. The ALTS results are expected to be published shortly. By collaborating with Cytyc's extensive physician sales organization we expect the adoption of our two technologies to continue to accelerate."

Digene's HC2 is the only FDA approved test for HPV and the ThinPrep Pap Test is the only liquid-based cervical cancer screening technology currently approved by the FDA for HPV testing directly from the vial.

"The ThinPrep Pap Test continues to gain market share now representing more than one-third of the Pap tests in the United States annually," said Patrick J. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of Cytyc Corporation. "This mutually beneficial agreement provides a cooperative strategy to promote the clinical and cost benefits of HPV testing directly from the ThinPrep vial for management of patients with borderline cervical abnormalities."

Mr. Jones added, "This agreement allows Digene and Cytyc to capitalize on the growing success of programs offering HPV reflex testing directly from the ThinPrep Pap Test vial that have been established with Cytyc's and Digene's laboratory customers in the United States. In addition, if we are able to achieve FDA approval for use of our test as a primary screen in conjunction with the ThinPrep Pap Test, we will work together to market the combined use of HC2 HPV Test and the ThinPrep Pap Test for primary screening in the United States."

Mr. Sullivan concluded, "We are very pleased to expand our collaboration with Digene. We believe that this co-promotion agreement will benefit both companies. We are optimistic that we may be able to expand our marketing and sales cooperation into international markets, and potentially in new areas of research and development in the future as well."

The management of Digene Corporation and Cytyc Corporation will hold a conference call to discuss this announcement at 11:00am EST today. Please dial [phone] (international participants please dial 706-634-2339) at least 10 minutes prior to the start time and use conference passcode 828225. A replay of this call will be available two hours after completion of the live call by dialing [phone] (international participants please dial 706-645-9291) and use conference passcode 828225.

Digene Corporation, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary DNA and RNA testing systems for the screening, monitoring and diagnosis of human diseases. Digene's primary focus is in women's cancers and infectious diseases where the Company's lead product is the only FDA approved test for human papillomavirus, or HPV, which is the cause of greater than 99% of cervical cancer cases. The Digene HPV Test is used in the U.S. as an adjunct to the Pap smear for cervical cancer screening and is being marketed in selected countries as a primary cervical cancer screen either in conjunction with or separate from the Pap smear.

Cytyc Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets the ThinPrep(R) System for medical diagnostic applications. The ThinPrep System consists of the ThinPrep(R) 2000 Processor, ThinPrep(R) 3000 Processor, and related reagents, filters, and other supplies.

Cytyc(R), ThinPrep(R), and PreservCyt(R) are registered trademarks and ThinPrep(R) Pap Test(TM) is a trademark of Cytyc Corporation.

FOR DIGENE INVESTORS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of the future as there are a number of meaningful factors that could cause the Company's actual results to vary materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Meaningful factors which could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, the degree of acceptance of HPV testing by physicians, the extent of reimbursement for the HPV Test by third party payors, the success of the strategy and plan of Digene and Cytyc, the timing and actual results of the ALTS trial publication, and failure to receive FDA approval of the HC2 HPV test for primary screening, as well as other factors discussed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. For other factors, reference is made to the discussion in the Company's annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

FOR CYTYC INVESTORS

Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, Cytyc's and Digene's promotional and other operational strategies and objectives, expectations regarding clinical results, product plans and performance, and statements regarding management's expectations for future growth and objectives for future management and operations, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ, including, without limitation, risks associated with the Company's dependence on a single product, uncertainty of market acceptance and additional cost, dependence on proprietary technology, dependence on timely and adequate levels of third-party reimbursement, dependence on key personnel, management of growth, limited marketing and sales experience, and limited number of customers and lengthy sales cycle, as well as risks of downturns in economic conditions generally, and in the healthcare industry specifically, risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures, potential liabilities and costs associated with litigation, and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its 1999 Form 10-K filed with the Commission.