Serono Subscribes to Celera's Genomic Databases

Business Wire, Dec 20, 2001

Business Editors/Medical & Health Writers

BIOWIRE2K

ROCKVILLE, MD, and GENEVA, Switzerland--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 20, 2001

Celera Genomics (NYSE:CRA), an Applera Corporation business, announced today that Serono S.A. (SWX Swiss Exchange: SEO and NYSE: SRA), signed a multi-year subscription agreement to Celera's proprietary genomic databases. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"This agreement with Serono is important validation of Celera's genomic databases," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Celera's president and chief scientific officer. "We believe that access to Celera's data can provide Serono, a leading-edge global biotechnology company, with accurate genomic information to enhance their outstanding track record in developing novel therapeutics."

"This agreement is another important element in our expanding genomics program. Celera's high quality mouse and human genome sequences will support Serono's scientific efforts to discover novel targets and therapeutic proteins," commented Silvano Fumero, Ph.D., senior executive vice president, Research & Pharmaceutical Development at Serono.

About Serono

Serono is a global biotechnology leader. The Company has six recombinant products on the market, Gonal-F(R), Luveris(R), Ovidrel(R)/Ovitrelle(R), Rebif(R), Serostim(R) and Saizen(R) (Rebif(R) and Luveris(R) are not approved in the USA). In addition to being the world leader in reproductive health, Serono has strong market positions in neurology, metabolism and growth. The Company's research programs are focused on growing these businesses and on establishing new therapeutic areas. Currently, there are fifteen molecules in development.

In 2000, Serono achieved worldwide revenues of US$1.240 billion, and a net income of US$301 million, making it the third largest biotech company in the world based on revenues. The Company operates in 45 countries, and its products are sold in over 100 countries. Bearer shares of Serono S.A., the holding company, are traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (SEO) and its American Depositary Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (SRA).

Some of the statements in this press release are forward looking. Such statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Serono S.A. and affiliates to be materially different from those expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on Serono's current expectations and assumptions, which may be affected by a number of factors, including those discussed in this press release and more fully described in Serono's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2001. These factors include any failure or delay in Serono's ability to develop new products, any failure to receive anticipated regulatory approvals, any problems in commercializing current products as a result of competition or other factors, our ability to obtain reimbursement coverage for our products, and government regulations limiting our ability to sell our products. Serono has no responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

About Applera Corporation and Celera Genomics

Applera Corporation comprises two operating groups. The Celera Genomics Group, headquartered in Rockville, MD, is engaged principally in integrating advanced technologies to create therapeutic discovery and development capabilities for internal use and for its customers and collaborators. Celera's businesses are its online information business and its therapeutics discovery business. The online information business is a leading provider of information based on the human genome and other biological and medical information. Through the therapeutic discovery business, Celera intends to leverage its genomic and proteomic capabilities to identify drug targets and diagnostic marker candidates, and to discover novel therapeutic candidates. The Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI) develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software, and contract services to the life science industry and research community. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of $1.6 billion during fiscal 2001. Celera Diagnostics has been established as a joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics. This new venture is focused on discovery, development and commercialization of novel diagnostic tests. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the World Wide Web at www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800.762.6923. Information about Celera is available on the World Wide Web at www.celera.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Applera Corporation's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Applera Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to: (1) expected operating losses; (2) dependence on the continued assembly and annotation of the human and other genomes; (3) unproven use of genomics information to develop or commercialize products; (4) dependence on the unique expertise of its scientific and management staff; (5) dependence on computer hardware, software, and Internet applications; (6) potential adverse effect on Celera Genomics' intellectual property protection and the value of its products and services due to public disclosure of genomics sequence data; (7) potential for government regulation of Celera Genomics' or its customers' products and services; and (8) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.