Hayward, CA- June 9, 2003 - Biolog, Inc. announced today that it has received a Phase I SBIR grant of $250,000 from the National Cancer Institute for a project applying its revolutionary Phenotype MicroArray (PM) assay platform in toxicological cell-based assays. The company is developing the innovative Phenotype MicroArray technology for use with human and mouse cell lines. This capability will be added to the current uses of the PM technology for use with bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi.

Phenotype MicroArrays represent a fundamental platform technology that allows scientists to easily and efficiently test hundreds to thousands of cellular traits simultaneously. The technology has the promise of determining cellular phenotypic expression in many areas of research and development. The two most important near term applications are using PMs to determine the effect of genetic changes on cells and to determine the effect of drugs on cells. This new work is specifically intended to further the technology for use in predictive toxicology. The toxicological effects of a drug can change dramatically, depending on the physiological state of a cell. A key, unique advantage of PM technology is that it allows a scientist to detect effects of a drug under hundreds to thousands of states of a cell.

Biolog, a privately held company based in Hayward, CA is a pioneer in the development of powerful new cell analysis tools for solving critical problems in clinical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology research and development. The company's Phenotype MicroArray technology and OmniLog® PM System can be used in the discovery and development of new drugs as well as bioactive agents for animal and plant applications. Further information can be obtained at the company's website, www.biolog.com.