MetriGenix Partners with Waban Software to Enhance Its Gene Expression Analysis Platform.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech, Health & Medical Writers

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GAITHERSBURG, Md. & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2003

Technology Partnership Integrates 4D Array System with Breakthrough

Life Sciences Information Management System to Capture and Manage

Genomic Data

MetriGenix Inc. and Waban Software today announced that MetriGenix will integrate Waban Software's Waban Explorer(TM) into the MGX(TM) 4D Array System, MetriGenix's advanced microarray architecture for gene expression analysis.

This technology partnership will enhance the information management capabilities of MetriGenix' 4D Array System.

Waban Software is the leading provider of software solutions for data integration and knowledge management to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Waban Explorer is a comprehensive data warehouse solution that enables the efficient, integrated management of complex data collected during drug discovery and development processes.

Based on its unique Flow-Thru Chip(TM) (FTC) technology, MetriGenix's 4D Array System combines public and proprietary genomic and proteomic content to enable scientists in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic and government institutions, to perform differential gene expression studies.

Currently offered with focused content in the areas of Cancer, Cardiovascular, CNS, and Autoimmune diseases, the MetriGenix 4D Array System is an integrated platform that provides end users a cost effective, easy-to-use technology designed to reduce assay time.

By integrating this unique system with Waban Explorer, MetriGenix users now have a solution to capture, store, analyze and manage data from the microarray platform within a single database. Researchers can also develop and share analyses, reports and findings within an integrated system, and access data from multiple public databases, such as OMIM and GenBank, with a single click.

"After an extensive evaluation of information management systems, we found that Waban's technology, expertise, system scalability and vision made them the ideal partner for MetriGenix," said Dr. Andrew O'Beirne, President and CEO of MetriGenix. "By supplementing our 4D Array System with Waban's Explorer data warehouse software solution, researchers and scientists will have a tool to integrate and access critical genomic and other data more effectively and expeditiously. In turn, this should positively impact their efforts in drug discovery and pharmaceutical screening, and potentially genetic diagnostics."

Comprehensive Knowledge Management System

Waban Explorer is a scaleable software system for life sciences information management, enabling organizations to capture, manage, share, analyze, and integrate data generated during drug discovery and development processes.

Based on patent-pending data warehousing technology, Waban Explorer is designed to accommodate different data types and data structures from multiple domains, including pharmacogenomics, proteomics, chemical genomics, and clinical research.

Unlike other information management systems, Waban Explorer is fully 21 CFR part 11 compliant and provides pre-defined templates to reduce customization and ensure rapid deployment. Data within the system is easily accessed through an intuitive browser-based interface, and protected through role-based security capabilities.

In addition, users can annotate data and create custom queries and reports on the fly.

"Waban's solution enhances the MetriGenix platform by providing integrated, easy-to-use solutions for managing genomic data. As more and more biotech companies employ gene expression for target validation, disease profiling and management, the ability to integrate and quickly analyze large volumes of data is critical. Waban is delighted to partner with MetriGenix to offer an advanced microarray architecture for gene expression analysis to meet the ongoing needs of these organizations," said Dr. Himanshu Oberoi, President and Founder of Waban Software.

About MetriGenix

MetriGenix, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing a biochip platform based on the Flow-thru Chip(TM) technology. The Flow-thru Chip(TM) technology is a scaleable, high-performance microarray platform with a microchannel structure that results in a much larger surface area-to-volume ratio than is attained with flat surface platforms.

The unique structure of the Flow-thru Chip(TM) technology yields performance enhancements in capacity, kinetics, and uniformity for biological sensing applications. MetriGenix has combined the Flow-thru Chip(TM) technology, which includes custom and branded chips, and its associated instrumentation, into a complete biomolecular analysis solution--the 4D Assay System(TM).

The 4D Assay System(TM) has been developed for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for use in biological discovery programs, pharmaceutical screening, genetic diagnostics and individualized disease management. For additional information about MetriGenix, the Flow-thru Chip(TM), the 4D Assay System(TM), and the Universal Array, please call 301/987-1716 or visit the Company Web site at www.metrigenix.com.

About Waban Software

Waban Software provides life sciences information management solutions that enable pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to capture, integrate, access, manage and analyze life sciences and clinical trial data easily on a single platform.

Waban's solutions help companies like Pharmacia, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb, DNA Sciences, and PPD to significantly streamline the management of data from drug discovery and development processes, enabling more rapid analysis and submission to regulatory authorities. The privately held company is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.wabansoftware.com.