PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, August 6, 2002

Company Press Release

SOURCE: BioMedicines, Inc.

BioMedicines, Inc. Announce Issuance of Cancer Therapy Patent

Emeryville, CA - August 6, 2002 - BioMedicines, Inc. announced today the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 6,423,744 entitled, "Method of diminishing the adverse effects of interleukin-2." This patent covers the use of its cytokine inhibitor Biomed 101 in patients with kidney cancer or melanoma who are also receiving interleukin-2.

Biomed 101, an experimental drug, binds to the leukotriene B4 receptor. Blocking this receptor in animal models prevents adverse effects from interleukin-2. Recently, BioMedicines scientists have also shown in clinical testing in patients with renal cancer that the therapeutic index of interleukin-2 is improved by the coadministration of Biomed 101. These patients are able to better tolerate interleukin-2 and experience fewer serious side effects.

"Our scientists have discovered a new use for this class of drugs, which is very much at the heart of the company’s business, " said CEO Dr. Mark Moran. "We have worldwide rights. This U.S. patent and other major market patents that are now issuing are especially important because of the global duration of protection afforded for both structure and function."

BioMedicines, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company, has three products in clinical testing at phase 1b, 2, and 3 in the fields of cancer and infectious diseases. BioMedicines specializes in redirecting the development of drugs to new and more valuable indications. The company has current development and/or commercialization agreements with ALZA, Boehringer Ingelheim, Schering AG, and the G.D. Searle subsidiary of Pharmacia. BioMedicines is headquartered in Emeryville, California. More information about the company is available at www.biomedicinesinc.com.

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