Tuesday March 13, 2001

COMPANY PRESS RELEASE

Synthetic Genetics Adopts Transgenomic Technology For DNA Purification

WAVE® System Now Being Used for Purification of RNA and Synthetic DNA

SAN JOSE, Calif., and OMAHA, Neb., Mar. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Transgenomic, Inc. (Nasdaq:TBIO) announced today that Synthetic Genetics will use the WAVE® System, already recognized as highly sensitive and accurate technology for detection of genetic variations, for purification of DNA.

San Diego-based Synthetic Genetics, a division of Epoch Biosciences (Nasdaq:EBIO), is a leading provider of chemically synthesized DNA used in genetic analysis, pharmacogenomics and molecular diagnostics, and currently operates four Transgenomic WAVE Systems.

According to Steve DeGraw, general manager of Synthetic Genetics, "More and more of our clients require highly pure DNA for their analyses. However, achieving this has been very expensive and time consuming until now. Using the WAVE System, we can deliver high quality DNA to our customers faster and at a fraction of the cost of earlier purification methods."

With the recent publication of the human DNA sequence and the corresponding human genome map, the demand for highly purified synthetic DNA used in various genetic analyses will grow rapidly. DeGraw noted, "The WAVE System will enable Synthetic Genetics to meet the expanding needs of our customers."

Transgenomic CEO Collin D'Silva said, "The WAVE System is unique in this marketplace as it has the ability to both analyze and purify DNA. Both capabilities expand the range of solutions we offer to the genomics community." This latest news comes on the heels of Transgenomic's recent announcement of record fourth-quarter earnings for 2000.

Since its introduction in late 1997, the WAVE System has been utilized extensively by leading research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. Transgenomic customers include: Harvard University, Stanford University, Baylor College of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Institut Curie, University of Cambridge, Wellcome Trust-Oxford University, Institut Gustave Roussy, GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Company, Syngenta and Eli Lilly and Company.

About Transgenomic

Transgenomic is headquartered in Omaha, Neb., and has offices in the United States, Europe and Japan. Major research and development facilities are located in San Jose, Calif., and Crewe, Cheshire, United Kingdom. The company provides innovative research tools to the genomics segment of the life sciences industry. These tools enable researchers to discover and understand variation in the human genetic code, or genome, in order to accelerate and improve drug development and diagnostics.

About Synthetic Genetics

Synthetic Genetics, an operating division of Epoch Biosciences, manufactures specialty oligonucleotides and DNA-based diagnostic assays. Founded in 1984, Synthetic Genetics is one of the first commercial custom DNA synthesis companies. The company has a wealth of experience and a long outstanding record of customer service specializing in the synthesis of high quality oligonucleotides for some of the most prestigious research institutions in the world. In its cGMP manufacturing facility, Synthetic Genetics makes modified, chimeric, antisense or protein conjugated DNA. Synthetic Genetics is also developing a line of DNA-based diagnostic systems. In November of 2000, Synthetic Genentics was acquired by Epoch Biosciences (Nasdaq:EBIO) of Bothell, Wash., a developer of proprietary chemistry with commercial applications in the fields of genomics and molecular diagnostics.

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