MDL Granted License to RTECS Database by NIOSH; MDL to Produce, Maintain, and Distribute Government-Owned Toxicological Database.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

SAN LEANDRO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--April 8, 2002

MDL(R) Information Systems, Inc., the leader in discovery informatics for life sciences and chemistry, announced today that it has been awarded a non-exclusive, worldwide trademark license agreement and a license and distribution agreement for the RTECS(R) database, the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances.

Under the agreements MDL will assume responsibility for updating, licensing, and distributing the database. This includes the ongoing review of toxicological documents, extraction and updating of appropriate information, as well as the marketing and distribution of the RTECS database in various formats, including derivative products such as MDL(R) Toxicity Database and MDL(R) Metabolite Database.

RTECS is recognized as the world's most extensive collection of numerical toxicological data. Since its initial release in 1971 as the Toxic Substances List, RTECS has been systematically built and updated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RTECS currently contains information on over 150,000 compounds, including specific numerical toxicological endpoints in six areas of toxicity. In order to assure the continued viability and growth of the RTECS database, NIOSH solicited proposals from organizations interested in assuming the responsibility for its continued operation and funding.

"MDL is proud to assume this responsibility," said Lars Barfod, executive vice president and chief business officer of MDL. "We will diligently maintain the high standards established by NIOSH and continue to make this crucial information on toxic substances available to the international scientific community."

Because RTECS identifies specific toxicological endpoints, it has a unique status among databases that provide toxicology information. RTECS is used not only by the occupational safety and health community, but it serves as a standard reference for life-science scientists, government agencies, and other organizations from all parts of the world.

The information in RTECS is continuously available worldwide in a variety of formats, including derivative forms, such as the structure-searchable MDL Toxicity Database. Entities seeking a license for RTECS for their own use or for use in a derivative product should contact Russ Hillard, senior product manager at MDL, 510/895-1313 ext. 1482.

About MDL

Over 1,000 life science companies supercharge their discovery engines with MDL software solutions to generate fresh ideas and make breakthrough discoveries. By synchronizing and streamlining the sharing and management of vital information and knowledge, we enable scientists to work more efficiently and invent drugs faster. This saves time, money, and lives. In support of our customers and the momentous challenges they face, everything we do must be reliable, resourceful, innovative, and insightful. We are an international business headquartered in San Leandro, CA with offices worldwide. MDL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elsevier Science, Inc. For more information, visit www.mdl.com.

Note to Editors: MDL is registered trademark in the United States of MDL Information Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The marks "RTECS(R)" and "NIOSH" are licensed under authority of the Public Health Service. Other product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners, in the United States and other countries.