20/20 GeneSystems Enters Technology Access Agreement 
with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Proteomics Platform to Help Oncology Unit Survey Tumors

ROCKVILLE, MD – October 8, 2002 – 20/20 GeneSystems, Inc. today announced that it has entered a Technology Access Agreement with Novartis, 20/20’s second such agreement in as many months. Under the agreement Novartis will provide funding and tissue samples while gaining early access to 20/20’s technology. The companies plan to utilize 20/20’s proprietary Protein Function Identification Layered Membranes (P-FILM) to identify protein expression and activation patterns in tumor samples. The goal will be to identify protein profiles that can be used to help identify tumor subtypes.

Groups of proteins form signaling pathways to carry out key biological functions within cells. Most diseases – including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and psychiatric disorders – result from the malfunctioning of one or more proteins within a signaling pathway. As a result many drugs are being developed to reverse the effects of malfunctioning signaling proteins, including a new class of designer “smart drugs” that attack tumors. Novartis’ drug Gleevec® – for certain forms of cancer – is among the first signaling pathway inhibitors approved by the FDA.

“We are hopeful that the P-FILM technology will enable us to better understand tumor heterogeneity while using limited amounts of paraffin-embedded tissue,” stated David Parkinson, M.D., Vice President and Global Head, Novartis Oncology Translational Therapeutic Development.

P-FILM comprises a stack of proprietary membranes that may be applied to tissue sections, tissue arrays, electrophoresis gels, and multi-well plates. Proteins are transferred from the sample onto the stack and, aided by specialized software, different proteins are visualized on each layer along with their functional state and location (x-y) in the sample. This is believed to be the first technique for proteomic analysis of tissue that preserves the shape and morphology of the sample.

“We are very optimistic about the potential of our technology to help Novartis better classify tumors with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes in clinical trials,” noted 20/20 GeneSystems CEO, Jonathan Cohen.

About the 20/20 GeneSystems

20/20 GeneSystems was founded in 2000 and is based in Rockville, Maryland. It is developing the P-FILM technology in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute. The company created a Technology Access Program to give selected companies and institutions preferential access to pre-commercial applications of its P-FILM platform technology, particularly applications relating to tissue analysis. A P-FILM product for Western blotting is currently on the market and has been purchased by over 500 companies and research labs since it was launched ten months ago.

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