Psychiatric Genomics Subscribes to GeneExpress DB

Gene Logic Inc, a leading provider of genomic information, announced that Psychiatric Genomics Inc (PGI), a genomics-based drug discovery company, has subscribed to Gene Logic's GeneExpress database. PGI will subscribe to a disease-specific segment of the GeneExpress Suite, called a GeneExpress DataSuite, which will be focused on CNS (central nervous system) related samples. PGI will utilize this subscription for its drug discovery and development programs in several CNS disease areas, including neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Financial terms of the subscription were not disclosed.

"We continue to execute on our strategy of amassing critical mass of content in disease specific areas like CNS," commented Mark D. Gessler, president and CEO of Gene Logic. "PGI is further evidence of the growing demand for the kind of high-value genomic content we are providing at Gene Logic. We have added six subscribers to the GeneExpress product over the past six months, and we look to continue to build on this growing momentum," continued Gessler.

Michael G. Palfreyman, Ph.D., D.Sc., president and CEO of Psychiatric Genomics said, "In subscribing to Gene Logic's GeneExpress database, we are taking the opportunity to create tremendous potential value out of the growing amount of genomic information using the most cutting edge technology possible." Continuing, Palfreyman stated, "Psychiatric disorders are a major unmet medical need. We are thrilled to be applying this high-throughput/high-content information platform to the investigation of these polygenic disorders. Because of the complexity of CNS-related diseases, it is imperative to use a technology that enables parallel processing of multiple genes simultaneously. The GeneExpress database answers that need."

Psychiatric Genomics Inc Overview

Psychiatric Genomics Inc is a newly formed genomics-based drug discovery company focused on providing breakthrough therapies for a wide variety of psychiatric diseases through partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and using an integrated platform of genomics-based technologies. Psychiatric diseases and other mental health disorders are the second largest worldwide market with significant unmet medical need and thus represent a tremendous opportunity for the development of new therapeutics.

Gene Logic Overview

Gene Logic Inc is a leading provider of genomic information, enabling the discovery and development of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, health care, and life science products through the systematic and industrialized application of genomics and bioinformatics. Gene Logic has built and is commercializing the world's most comprehensive survey of gene expression in human and animal tissues. Gene expression, which is the degree to which genes in a cell are switched on or off, or regulated, is information critical to understanding the functions of genes. Gene Logic markets two types of gene expression database products to the global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, health care and life science industries: its custom databases and related software products and its new GeneExpress 2000 reference database suite. The GeneExpress 2000 database suite can be used for a variety of research applications, such as to discover and validate novel drug targets, develop therapeutic compounds and facilitate clinical trials and patient management. Gene Logic has the flexibility of offering the data in different formats for customers requiring different levels of information, and pricing such versions optimally. Since the launch of the first commercial version of the GeneExpress database in November 1999, multiple pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have subscribed. Gene Logic believes its GeneExpress 2000 database suite will become a fundamental reference source of gene expression information for many scientists engaged in industrial and academic life sciences research.

Selected major customers for Gene Logic's databases and data management software include: Fujisawa Pharmaceutical; Japan Tobacco; NeuralStem BioPharmaceuticals, Organon (Akzo Nobel); PE Biosystems; Pfizer; Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals; SmithKline Beecham; Therapeutic Genomics; UCB Pharma; and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories (American Home Products).

For more information about Gene Logic, visit the company's Web site at www.genelogic.com.

Contact Robert G. Burrows, Director, Corporate Communications of Gene Logic Inc, 301-987-1824, rburrows@genelogic.com or Michael G. Palfreyman, Ph.D., D.Sc. president & CEO of Psychiatric Genomics Inc, 301-770-1201, Mpalfreymn@aol.com