Berlin, Germany and Seattle, WA, December 16th,  2003 Epigenomics announced today the signing of an initial collaboration with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. In the project, Epigenomics will analyze DNA methylation biomarkers in a murine xenograft model that change after administration of a Wyeth anti-cancer compound. DNA-methylation is a natural "switch" that controls gene expression giving rise to distinct patterns in cells including cancer and other diseased cells.  Such biomarkers could be further developed into drug response markers, predicting which patients will benefit from the drugs and which ones will not.

In this joint project, Wyeth will use its anti-cancer compound and provide preclinical samples. Epigenomics will employ its proprietary technologies to discover differential methylation effects and technically confirm the markers by using independent methylation analysis methods. Wyeth will evaluate the resulting biomarkers and consider Epigenomics\' technologies for inclusion into its clinical oncology studies. Financial details of the project were not disclosed.

"We are proud to work with one of the top pharmaceutical companies using our  pharmacodiagnostics approach",  states Christina Dahlstroem, Vice President Product Development for Epigenomics’ Pharma Technology business unit. "DNA methylation analysis could be the detection method of choice for markers distinguishing between responders and non-responders to oncology drugs. In the future, many oncology drugs may only be prescribed for patients who are most likely to benefit from them."

About Epigenomics:
Epigenomics is committed to personalizing medicine in cancer and other complex diseases by developing novel diagnostic and pharmacodiagnostic products. By detecting and interpreting DNA methylation patterns, the \"on\" and \"off\" signs for genes, Epigenomics enables detection of disease at very early stages, disease recurrence, molecular classification of disease and helps determine whether individual patients are likely to respond to certain therapies.
Epigenomics collaborates with Roche Diagnostics for the development of several diagnostic and pharmacodiagnostic products in cancer. Epigenomics also spearheads the Human Epigenome Project (www.epigenome.org) in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the Centre National de Génotypage (CNG). The company has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, USA. For more information, please visit our website at www.epigenomics.com.