Dr. J. Craig Venter to Chair U.S. Genomics' Scientific Advisory Board; Venter, Scientific Advisors Aid in Technology Development.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2004

U.S. Genomics today announced that Dr. J. Craig Venter will become Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board in addition to his role on the Board of Directors. Dr. Venter is widely recognized for his leading role in the completion of the sequencing of the human genome as well as his continuing efforts to further biological scientific discovery. The U.S. Genomics Scientific Advisory Board provides critical feedback and ideas to accelerate research and development at the Company, a leading developer of technologies for Single Molecule Analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins.

"U.S. Genomics has an impressive record of new technology development. I look forward to helping shape the scientific direction of the Company in my new role as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board," said Dr. Venter, President of the J. Craig Venter Science Foundation.

Dr. Hamilton O. Smith, Scientific Director of the Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives (IBEA), has also joined the U.S. Genomics Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Smith received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1978. IBEA is exploring biological solutions to global warming and cleaner energy production.

"U.S. Genomics' platforms are fundamentally new and potentially revolutionary," commented Dr. Smith. "They enable analysis of biological samples in a completely new way that can dramatically speed up and improve research."

Dr. Venter and Dr. Smith join four existing Scientific Advisory Board members. Dr. Louis Kunkel is a Professor of Pediatrics and of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on the molecular genetic basis of human diseases. Dr. Robert Langer is the Germeshausen Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He pioneered the field of controlled release systems for peptides, proteins, and other macromolecules. Dr. Alexander Rich, William Thompson Sedgewick Professor of Biophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is known for his discovery of left-handed DNA or Z-DNA and the three-dimensional structure of transfer RNA. Dr. Donald Crothers is a Senior Research Scientist and the Sterling Professor of Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry emeritus at Yale University. He is also Chief Scientist at GeneOhm Sciences in San Diego. His work has focused on the physical chemistry of biological polymers.

"We are delighted that Drs. Venter and Smith have joined the team at U.S. Genomics. It is another milestone in our continuing growth and development," said Dr. Steven R. Gullans, Chief Scientific Officer of U.S. Genomics. "Together with the other stellar scientists who serve on our Scientific Advisory Board, they bring unparalleled expertise in fields that are fundamental to the development of our next-generation technology."

About U.S. Genomics, Inc.

U.S. Genomics is a leading marketer and developer of technologies that allow genetics, functional genomics, and diagnostics to be performed at the single molecule level. The Company's technology platforms can analyze individual molecules of DNA, RNA, and proteins without the need for amplification and combine advances in nanofluidics, optical engineering, and novel labeling strategies. The technology has life sciences applications in the areas of research, drug discovery and development, and diagnostics, and longer term will help researchers tailor individualized drug development by providing a platform to advance our understanding of diseases. Founded in 1997, U.S. Genomics is located in Woburn, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.usgenomics.com.