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MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA and Basking Ridge, NJ, August 16, 2000 -— DNA Sciences, Inc.and Hooper Holmes, Inc. (AMEX:HH) today announced a joint agreement for HooperHolmes to provide nationwide phlebotomy and informed consent services for TheDNA Sciences Gene Trust Project(sm). The Gene Trust is one of the first,large-scale consumer-focused research initiatives to invite volunteers toparticipate in genetic research through the World Wide Web at www.DNA.com. DNASciences believes that such large-scale studies will facilitate the discovery ofthe links between genetics and common diseases.Jim McNamee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hooper Holmes, stated, "Weare pleased to participate in DNA Sciences' ambitious program. This agreementis a testament to our Healthdex Services Group's ability to leverage our corestrengths and infrastructure and apply them to an emerging industry. We believethat our nationwide network of 230 branches and over 12,000 examiners combinedwith our advanced technology infrastructure gives us an unparalleled ability tosupport DNA Sciences as they pursue their growth initiatives in this excitingnew field."
"We are fortunate to have a partner like Hooper Holmes to carry out thiscritical aspect of our research," said Hugh Y. Rienhoff Jr., M.D., Chairman andCEO of DNA Sciences. "These nation-wide phlebotomy and informed consentservices reflect our commitment to large-scale investigations involving theparticipants in The DNA Sciences Gene Trust ProjectSM."DNA Sciences, a Mountain View, California biotechnology company specializing inproprietary confidential genetic research, will recruit patients from every zipcode in the U.S. through its Web site www.DNA.com and relationships with otherhealth related sites like Healtheon/WebMD. This association will allow largenumbers of individual consumers interested in genetic research to apply on-lineto be a participant in the Gene Trust. Hooper Holmes' Healthdex division allowsparticipants in the Gene Trust to determine where and when they will have theirblood drawn.
Building on the recent completion of the Human Genome Project, DNA Sciencesbelieves that information received through the Gene Trust project willaccelerate the identification of genetic variations affecting health anddisease. DNA Sciences believes that the findings have the potential to lead toearly detection of disease, more precise diagnoses, and more effective use ofexisting therapies. Overall, this work is expected to accelerate thedevelopment of new diagnostic products and therapies.
DNA Sciences follows the Code of Conduct (HONcode) dictated by Health on the Netand has applied to be a licensee of the TRUSTe Privacy Program. As anadditional safeguard, third parties are not allowed to post banner ads orcollect information through DNA.com.
About Hooper Holmes
Hooper Holmes, Inc., a 100 year-old public company based in Basking Ridge, NJ isthe leading provider of alternate site medical information and specimencollection services. Through its network of over 300 locations across the US,Hooper performed over 3,000,000 mobile, face to face, information and specimencollection encounters in 1999.
About DNA Sciences
Privately held DNA Sciences, Inc. (formerly Kiva Genetics, Inc.), aconsumer-focused genetics company, unites genetic scientists, physicians andconsumers to explore the role of genetics in prevalent disease. DNA Sciences'primary goal is to accelerate the advancement of improved medical testing andtreatment through genetic discovery.
DNA Sciences was founded in May 1998. The company is backed by, Apple TreePartners, Brentwood Associates Venture Capital (Versant Venture Capital), CasdinCapital Partners Domain Associates, Healtheon/WebMD, Pequot Capital, and TheSoros Fund. In addition, Jim Clark, founder of Silicon Graphics, NetscapeCommunications Corporation and Healtheon Corporation, is an investor and serveson the board of directors of DNA Sciences, as does James Watson, Ph.D.,co-discoverer of the structure of DNA.
Contacts: For DNA Sciences, Inc.
Bill Heineke or Joni Ramirez
Ruder Finn Healthcare
312/329-3910, 310/479-9929, ext. 108
heinekeb@ruderfinn.com, ramirezj@ruderfinn.com
For Hooper Holmes:
Fred Lash, Chief Financial Officer
908/766-5000
or
Morgen-Walke Associates
Investors: Robert P. Jones/Theresa Schillero
Media: Stacey Nield/Dan Budwick
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