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Open Biosystems Introduces a Comprehensive Mammalian RNA Interference (RNAi) Resource
Huntsville, AL – March 30th, 2004

Open Biosystems, Inc. announced today the commercial release of the Expression
Arrest™ Human & Mouse Short Hairpin RNA (shRNA) Libraries, RNAi products for
life science and genomics researchers who are deciphering the function of human and
mouse genes. The Expression Arrest™ shRNA Libraries provide researchers access to
thousands of short hairpin RNA constructs designed, synthesized and sequenced for
immediate use. Researchers can select specific shRNA clones from an online database
and receive express shipments of clones ready to use in RNAi studies.

The short hairpin RNA approach is based upon the discovery by Dr. Gregory Hannon at
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in Long Island, New York and Dr. Ronald
Plasterk at the Center for Biomedical Genetics in Utrecht, Netherlands that endogenous,
non-coding RNA genes enter the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway to regulate the
expression of protein coding genes. Based upon this phenomenon, Dr. Hannon’s
laboratory has designed and sequenced shRNA clones that can be expressed from
conventional DNA vectors. The Expression Arrest™ shRNA clones can be delivered to
cells via transfection approaches or using more sophisticated viral delivery systems, such
as retroviruses or adenoviruses. Stable delivery in vitro has permitted the construction of
continuous cell lines that permanently suppress the targeted gene. Academic and
commercial laboratories worldwide are currently using RNAi to evaluate gene function
and the Expression Arrest™ shRNA Libraries facilitate the study of gene function in both
humans and mice. Researchers’ interest in gene deletion studies are fueled by the promise
of gaining insight into the function of genes important in the development of disease
states through high-throughput RNAi screens.

The Expression Arrest™ shRNA Libraries are marketed by Open Biosystems, in
Huntsville, Alabama (www.openbiosystems.com). Together, the human and mouse
libraries currently target over 6,500 genes with 1-4 shRNA clones per gene, specifically
targeting most protein classes that are viewed to be accessible to medicinal chemistry.
Open Biosystems intends for the Expression Arrest™ shRNA libraries to be extended to
cover every validated human and mouse gene and then to increase the depth of coverage
to between 6 and 10 shRNAs per gene.

Troy Moore, Chief Technology Officer of Open Biosystems, said, "The Expression
Arrest™ shRNA Libraries are a break-through for facilitating large scale RNAi screens.
Now investigators can easily select and quickly obtain the shRNAs representing any gene
to place in their screens rather than laboring through the time-consuming process of
designing, synthesizing and validating each themselves. This new offering further
extends Open Biosystems’ portfolio of products that expand investigators access to tools
for systems biology."

Open Biosystems, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets research tools for systems
biology to corporate, academic and government entities. These research tools provide
researchers with standardized high-quality genes, antibodies, and reverse genetics
resources and are used for genomics, gene-based drug discovery and developmental
biology. Founded in 2002, Open Biosystems is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.

CONTACT: Troy Moore, Chief Technology Officer, +1-256-704-4848,
tm@openbiosystems.com

CSHL is a research and education institution with research programs focusing on cancer,
neurobiology, plant genetics, genomics and bioinformatics, and a broad educational
mission, including the Watson School of Biological Sciences. Dr. Gregory Hannon’s
laboratory at CSHL has pioneered efforts in elucidating the role of RNAi in vivo and
developing research tools for applying RNAi technologies to drug development
processes.

CONTACT: Cold Spring Harbor Technology Licensing, +1- 516-367-6885
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