SAN DIEGO–Accelrys, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACCL) today reported that Mark Emkjer, its President and Chief Executive Officer has resigned as an officer and director of the company, effective January 5, 2009. Mr. Emkjer will remain employed by the Company until February 1, 2009 to assist in transitioning his role and responsibilities. The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has appointed Mr. Todd Johnson to serve as the Company’s interim President and Chief Executive Officer while the Company commences an immediate search for Mr. Emkjer’s successor.

On behalf of Accelrys, Mr. Ken Coleman, Chairman of the Company’s Board stated: “We thank Mark for his stewardship of the Company over the past six years. We wish him well as he leaves Accelrys to spend more time with his family and pursue personal interests. Under Mark’s leadership the Company has greatly improved its vision, profitability, cash-flow and product offerings.”

Mr. Johnson brings to Accelrys over twenty years of high-technology leadership experience. Most recently, Mr. Johnson was Chief Executive Officer of Kontiki, Inc., prior to its acquisition by VeriSign, Inc., following which Mr. Johnson was appointed to the roles of Vice President of VeriSign’s broadband content business and Senior Vice President of Global Marketing. Mr. Johnson began his career with Hewlett Packard and spent eleven years at Silicon Graphics, Inc., where he became Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.

In commenting on Mr. Johnson’s appointment, Mr. Coleman stated: “Todd is an accomplished executive with significant expertise in sales and marketing. We are confident that he will provide interim leadership enabling Accelrys to maintain its momentum while we search for Mark’s successor.”