GEMINI DISCOVERS GENE PREDICTOR FOR CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE.

Gemini Genomics plc (Nasdaq:GMNI), Cambridge, U.K., a leader in clinical genomics, has announced that its scientists have identified mutations in a gene that may play an important role in the function of human heart muscle. Certain abnormalities or variations in the gene, when present, predict an individual's susceptibility to congestive heart failure, one of the leading causes of sudden death. Ongoing assessment of the gene and its protein products indicate that, because it predicts the level of function in the heart's left ventricle, this discovery is potentially a very significant diagnostic for the prediction and treatment of congestive heart failure.

While the World Health Organization has reported a decreasing trend in cardiovascular disease for several decades, it reports an increase in the incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) which is often the end stage of cardiac disease. Between 1968 and 1998, the number of deaths from CHF in the United States rose from about 10,000 to almost 50,000. Half of the patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure die within five years of diagnosis. Approximately 5 million Americans are currently living with heart failure, and 550,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. CHF is twice as common among African Americans as it is among Caucasians, and the number of individuals with CHF is expected to increase as the population ages, and cardiac patients are able to survive and live longer with their disease.

"By studying this gene in its extensively phenotyped clinical populations, Gemini is able to add a high level of validity to the evidence that this gene plays an extremely important role in heart muscle function in humans," said Paul Kelly, MD, Gemini's President and CEO. "This discovery adds another potentially very commercializable drug target to Gemini's portfolio of intellectual property, as it identifies the genetic role of disease development in a major market area."

Gemini is a clinical genomics company focused on the discovery and commercialization of novel gene-based targets. Because it is clear that a comprehensive understanding of disease depends on the integration of genetics, proteomics, environmental factors and clinical and medical information from humans, Gemini's approach is to collect and analyze that information from a wide range of human population groups, including twins, disease-affected families, isolated (founder) populations and drug trial subjects. By investing in leading edge bioinformatics technologies, Gemini is able to effectively apply these resources to the acceleration of disease gene identification, target discovery, and drug development. Gemini aims to maximize revenue generation arising from the commercialization of its discoveries by retaining control over the gene discovery process and taking advantage of the greater potential value offered by later-stage licensing opportunities. The company has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden and Canada.

For more information, visit http://www.gemini-genomics.com. or call 617-928-9600 .