Interleukin Genetics Licenses Gene Variations That Are Associated with Body Weight Differences

Business Wire, June 28, 2004

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (OTCBB:ILGN) reported today that it has signed an agreement with Tufts University for exclusive rights to develop and commercialize tests and nutritional products based on variations in the perilipin gene that have been associated with body weight differences.

Perilipin is a protein in fat cells that influences fat metabolism. The intellectual property licensed by Interleukin is based on several studies totaling thousands of individuals throughout the world. The studies were conducted by investigators at Tufts University and have shown that women with a specific combination of perilipin gene variations have substantially higher body weights than individuals without the gene variations.

The license gives Interleukin exclusive rights to develop and commercialize tests based on the perilipin gene variations. The company may also use the gene variations to develop nutritional products that modulate the effects of these variations.

"Interleukin has been strategically extending its intellectual property base to enable it to develop novel approaches to personalize health. We believe that understanding the perilipin genetic factors, which are found commonly in the population, could assist some women in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. We are very pleased to be working with the Tufts Human Nutrition and Research Center to explore the practical applications of this technology, " said Dr. Philip Reilly, MD, JD, CEO of Interleukin Genetics.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of 1999-2000 estimates that 33% of adults in the U.S. are classified as overweight but not obese (Body Mass Index of 25 to 29.9). Overweight individuals are at increased risk for many diseases including heart disease, type II diabetes, and some types of cancer.

About Interleukin

Interleukin Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on developing personalized health products. The company uses functional genomics to help in the development of risk assessment tests, pharmacogenetic tests, nutritional and therapeutic products based on the genetic variations in people. Interleukin's current programs focus on cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis and periodontal disease. Interleukin expects that these programs will lead to products that will personalize the selection of nutritional and therapeutic products and enable the managed care industry to improve patient care and better allocate resources. For more information about Interleukin and its ongoing programs, please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com.

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" statements including statements regarding our ability to develop diagnostic, personalized nutritional and therapeutic products to prevent or treat diseases of inflammation, our ability to screen nutritional compounds for their effects on inflammatory responses, given specific IL-1 genetic patterns and our ability to make progress in advancing our core technologies. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to develop diagnostic, personalized nutritional and therapeutic products to prevent or treat diseases of inflammation, our ability to screen nutritional compounds for their effects on inflammatory responses, given specific IL-1 genetic patterns, our ability to construct a DNA testing laboratory, our ability to complete all of our key milestones with regard to the Alticor program, our ability to make progress in advancing our core technologies and our ability to launch new commercial products and those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in other filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation or intention to update these forward-looking statements.