Syntrix Biosystems licenses exclusive worldwide rights to aminotrexate™ from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey (UMDNJ)

Auburn, WA, February 1, 2003.  Syntrix Biosystems, Inc. announced today that it has obtained an exclusive license from UMDNJ for all human therapeutic rights related to the use of Aminotrexate™.  Compared to the widely employed antifolate methotrexate, Aminotrexate™ offers enhanced properties such as bioavailability (90%) and potency (20-fold greater than methotrexate).  Aminotrexate™ is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for pediatric leukemia. The newly licensed intellectual property was developed by Dr. Barton Kamen at UMDNJ.

"We at Syntrix Biosystems are committed to developing innovative small molecule-based therapeutic products to treat cancer," said John A. Zebala, M.D., Ph.D. President and CEO of Syntrix Biosystems. "Dr. Kamen's intellectual property on the use of Aminotrexate™ represents a valuable addition to our intellectual property portfolio, and enhances our drug candidate pipeline by providing a powerful approach to treating leukemia with a compound that is advanced in clinical testing and the regulatory approval process."

Syntrix Biosystems is a privately held biotechnology company founded in 1999 with research and development facilities located in Auburn, WA.  The company is developing products that meet the needs of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research markets.  The Syntrix Biosystems website is located at www.syntrixbio.com.  For more information contact:

John A. Zebala, M.D., Ph.D.

President and CEO

jzebala@syntrixbio.com