Genetic Analysis Patents and Cardiac Genetic Markers Key to Development of New Celera Tests

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–Perlegen Sciences, which develops genetic tests that correlate genetic variation to predisposition to disease and drug response, announced today that it has entered a non-exclusive license agreement with Celera focused on a family of patents that covers methods of genetic analysis central to creating similar diagnostic products. The agreement grants Celera use of this Perlegen intellectual property as well as use of Perlegen’s specific predictive genetic markers on chromosome 9p21 for coronary heart disease, to be included in products marketed by Celera.

Perlegen’s genetic analysis intellectual property covers the combination of multi-loci markers to create diagnostic products for determining an individual’s predisposition to multi-factorial disease or for ascertaining an appropriate course of treatment. It is expected to allow Celera to detect genetic markers for multi-factorial traits and tightly linked haplotype blocks, facilitate optimal matching of patient cases and controls, and provide methods for managing the massive data sets that accompany these analyses.

“Perlegen is pleased to enter this agreement with Celera and support its mission of improving healthcare through modern diagnostic methods in genetics,” said Bryan Walser, M.D., CEO of Perlegen. “The important discoveries these patents represent, including the specific marker for coronary heart disease, should drive continued advances in genetic diagnostics as scientists across the field apply them to determine which genetic markers are present in an individual and combine those markers to help quantify actionable and specific health risks.”

“We believe access to these highly replicated markers, which complement our internal proprietary genetic discoveries in cardiovascular disease such as KIF6 and LPA, furthers Celera’s commitment to be a leading provider of genetic tests used routinely in personalizing disease management,” said Kathy Ordoñez, CEO of Celera. “These markers are expected to enhance our focus on cardiovascular disease while expanding our menu into diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We believe the additional pharmacogenomic aspects of these markers allow us the potential to personalize disease management that may further improve patient compliance with treatments for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Individuals interested in learning more information about Perlegen’s patents or how to acquire a user license should contact Perlegen’s business development team at (650) 625-4500 or businessdevelopment@perlegen.com.

About Perlegen

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, including both toxicity and efficacy. The company’s lead product, the MammaPLUS™ breast cancer risk stratifier, scheduled for launch in the second half of 2009, is a novel diagnostic test containing all of the currently validated and replicated common genetic variations (SNPs) associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. MammaPLUS will help physicians assess women’s individual risks of developing breast cancer and recommend appropriate follow-up screening or treatment. For more information about Perlegen and its technologies, visit the company’s website at www.perlegen.com.