SANTA CLARA, CA–May 16, 2008 — Symyx Technologies, Inc. (NasdaqGS:SMMX – News) today announced it has promoted Trevor Heritage, Ph.D., to President of Symyx Software. Mr. Heritage joined Symyx in October 2007 as a result of the Company’s acquisition of MDL Information Systems, Inc., where he served as senior vice president of the Workflow Business Group. Mr. Heritage brings 15 years of technical, business and general management experience in chemical informatics and software solutions, with a proven track record managing discovery workflow software applications. He succeeds Timothy Campbell, who will be leaving the Company to become chief executive officer of a privately held supply chain solutions software company.

Isy Goldwasser, Symyx’s chief executive officer, said, “Our software business has made tremendous strides over the past year, driven both by our 2007 acquisition of MDL Information Systems, as well as product innovations such as ELN 6.0 and the upcoming launch of Isentris Personal. We are pleased that Trevor Heritage, who has played an essential role in the development and commercialization of these products, will be leading Symyx Software. His broad domain expertise, experience at MDL and his immediate impact in the new Symyx Software management team make him the right person to lead our software business into the future.

“We appreciate Tim’s contributions as we re-structured our business and prepared to execute the growth strategy that is now underway. We wish him well in his future professional endeavors,” Mr. Goldwasser concluded.

Prior to his experience at MDL, Mr. Heritage was a senior vice president, corporate officer and general manager of Tripos Inc.’s discovery informatics business. He has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from University of Reading, England. Heritage began his career with Shell Research Ltd in the UK.

About Symyx

Symyx Technologies, Inc. is the scientific R&D integration partner to companies in the life sciences, chemicals, energy, electronics and consumer products industries. With scientific R&D under tremendous economic and technical pressure, we help companies reduce R&D risk and enhance R&D productivity to help them bring more and better products to market quickly and cost-effectively. Our integrated technology platform combines Symyx Software (electronic laboratory notebooks, content, laboratory logistics and analysis), Symyx Tools (modular and integrated workflows that can be enhanced by Symyx software) and Research (collaborative research and directed services) to support the entire R&D process. In October 2007, Symyx acquired MDL Information Systems, Inc., a leading provider of innovative informatics software, databases and services that accelerate successful scientific R&D by improving the speed and quality of scientists’ decision making. Information about Symyx, including reports and other information filed by Symyx with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at www.symyx.com.