For Immediate Release
June 03, 2005

Orion Genomics Awarded 2005 Missouri Governor's Technology Award

ST. LOUIS, MO - On June 3, 2005, Orion Genomics, LLC was recognized with the 2005 Governor’s Technology Award. The award was presented to Nathan Lakey, President and CEO, at the annual awards banquet, culminating the 47th Annual Governor’s Business Development Conference. The Governor’s Technology Award acknowledges one leading edge company that has developed a new technology and has adopted or applied innovative manufacturing processes or business practices.

Orion Genomics is a St. Louis-based biotechnology company located in the Center for Emerging Technologies, developing non-invasive diagnostic tests for the early detection of cancer in the human health sector and providing genomic research services to the agricultural sector. In the past year Orion has entered into license and collaboration agreements with various institutions, including Washington University, to develop diagnostic tests that will allow for the early detection of certain cancers through a simple blood test. In addition, Orion’s profitable agricultural business unit continues to market proprietary crop genome sequencing services. Plant genome sequences are being used by Orion’s partners to understand the genetic basis of yield and disease resistance, and drought tolerance. Crops are being improved for more efficient food production and the development of bio-fuels.

Over its seven-year history, Orion has successfully launched two discrete business units: a Molecular Diagnostics Business Unit and a Genomic Analysis Business Unit. These two business units have many important synergies because both businesses rely on Second Code core technologies. Orion Genomics has trademarked the term “Second Code” to describe epigenetic information. Instead of focusing solely on the DNA sequence, Orion is capitalizing on recent discoveries that link epigenetic events to cancer. Orion focuses on using analysis of DNA methylation (i.e., Second Code information) to bring novel early detection molecular diagnostics to market and to offer novel products and services to the life sciences community.

About Orion Genomics

Orion Genomics is a Second Code biotechnology company developing oncology diagnostic products and generating revenue in a hybrid products-services model. Orion’s various proprietary technologies, trademarked as GeneThresher, MethylScope, and MethylScreen, detect both normal and abnormal epigenetic patterns of genes and genomes and are used in various agricultural biotechnology and molecular diagnostic applications. For more information, visit us at http://www.oriongenomics.com.