Gene Express Participates in FDA's Micro Array Quality Control Consortium

Market Wire, March, 2006

Gene Express, Inc. today announced its participation in the Micro Array Quality Control (MAQC) Consortium, assembled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate micro array and alternative gene expression platforms and to establish quality control parameters.

Other members of the consortium include scientists from six FDA centers, the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, leading academic institutions, major manufacturers of microarrays and/or quantitative gene expression measurement technologies, including Affymetrix, Inc., GE Healthcare, Applied Biosystems, Agilent Technologies Inc., Eppendorf AG, Genospectra, Inc. and Illumina, Inc. and major users of these technologies, including Biogen Idec Inc. and Novartis AG. The members meet regularly to exchange data analysis results and determine future objectives.

To date, the MAQC team has measured differential gene expression between two diverse RNA samples with seven microarray platforms and three quantitative platforms. The resulting data sets will be used to assess the precision, as well as cross-platform and cross-laboratory correlation of multiple technologies. Gene Express is participating by conducting analysis of the samples with its StaRT-PCR(TM) (Standardized Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology.

Dr. James Willey, Chief Scientific and Medical Consultant for Gene Express, stated, "StaRT-PCR is providing calibrated, numerical transcript abundance values. We are the only platform supplying data that have these characteristics. The information we are contributing will provide the microarray and other quantitative platforms with a reference point by which to compare their results. This will help standardize the field of gene expression analysis and expand the market for everyone in this business segment."

Gerald Vardzel, CEO of Gene Express, said, "We are honored to be included in this important group of institutions developing standards for quality control and data analysis of microarray diagnostics. The selection of our technology for inclusion in this study further validates its value as both a stand-alone technology and one compatible with other platforms in the market."

Additional information about the MAQC Consortium and project is available on the FDA's website at http://www.fda.gov/nctr/science/centers/toxicoinformatics/maqc/index.htm .

About Gene Express, Inc.

Gene Express, Inc. accelerates and enables drug development by providing standardized genomic data. The Company's proprietary and patented StaRT-PCR(TM) (Standardized Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction) platform technology for measuring gene expression levels in cells, tissue and blood is being used by numerous pharmaceutical concerns, as well as leading academic centers. The Company's $3 billion focus market for licensing and contract services includes the drug development, academic and molecular diagnostics segments. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.geneexpressinc.com .

Any forecasts, plans, projections and other information contained in this press release describing events or results that may occur in the future are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the United States Private Securities litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and important factors that are beyond the control of the Company that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the results presently anticipated or projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to this cautionary statement. All forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release and are based on current expectations. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Contact: Rachel Levine The Global Consulting Group Tel: 646-284-9439 E: Email Contact