PRESS RELEASE: Perlegen and 454 to Collaborate in Drug Response Sequencing Study

Perlegen and 454 to Collaborate in Drug Response Sequencing Study

Novel Study Design Tests New Pharmacogenomic Approach

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & BRANFORD, Conn. -- Perlegen Sciences and 454 Life Sciences, part of Roche Diagnostics, announced today a collaboration to conduct large scale genetic re-sequencing in hundreds of human DNA samples collected by Perlegen from individuals with specific responses to a widely prescribed class of drug. The goal of the collaboration will be to determine whether sufficient genetic variation can be identified and validated to create a clinical test that will predict how individuals might respond to this class of medicines.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Perlegen and 454 will each re-sequence select portions of the genome within each sample, using 454 Sequencing™ technology and DNA amplified with Perlegen’s proprietary sample preparation and amplification technologies. The parties’ data analysis teams will jointly study the combined results to determine how significant a role variations in genetic sequence play in patient response to this drug class.

“We are pleased to be working with 454 in this landmark pharmacogenomic study that combines 454’s exceptional next generation sequencing technology with Perlegen’s expertise in defining genetic variation on a carefully selected sample set,” commented Bryan Walser, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Perlegen Sciences. “This study holds the promise to improve therapeutic outcomes for a vast number of patients.”

“454 Sequencing, with long, highly-accurate reads, is ideally suited for a project of this scale and importance,” commented Christopher McLeod, President and CEO of 454. “We look forward to partnering with Perlegen in the quest to solve this and other critically important medical problems.”

About Perlegen Sciences

Perlegen’s mission is to discover and commercialize genetic variations that can make a difference to patients and physicians. The company’s expertise is in understanding human genetic variation within and across diverse patient populations and in conducting studies aimed at identifying those variations that are predictive of drug response, both toxicity and efficacy. For more information about the company and its technologies, visit Perlegen’s website at www.perlegen.com [1].

About Roche and the Roche Diagnostics Division

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As the world’s biggest biotech company and an innovator of products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation, a market leader in virology and active in other major therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases, inflammation, metabolism and central nervous system. In 2006 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totaled 33.3 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 8.7 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 75,000 worldwide and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Roche’s Diagnostics Division offers a uniquely broad product portfolio and supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories world-wide. For further information, please visit our website at www.roche.com [2].