CHIPS IN SPACE!

MANNHEIM (October 5, 2001) - In July 2001, Roche Diagnostics has entered into an agreement with the US-based CombiMatrix Corporation, a subsidiary of Acacia Research Corporation (ACRI). Under the terms of the agreement, Roche Diagnostics will purchase, use and resell CombiMatrix's biochips and related technology for rapid production of customizable biochips. Additionally, CombiMatrix and Roche will develop a platform technology, providing a range of standardized biochips for use in important research applications.

Some weeks ago NASA, the US space authority, has agreed to license and purchase active biochips and technology from CombiMatrix Corporation, for use aboard the International Space Station and in ground-based labs. According to the NASA, onboard the space station the astronauts will use the new technology to customize biochips to run genomic experiments in a micro-gravity environment. The experiments are part of NASA´s recently announced $27 million program to conduct research on how human DNA behaves in space. In the long term, NASA scientists hope to use the chips for monitoring the astronauts´ health.

Many experts believe that DNA chips, also known as biochips or microarrays, are the quickest and most effective tool for many applications in genomics. With CombiMatrix` technology, one can not only produce standard chips, but also special customized chips, which are tailor-made for the requirements of specific analyses. The whole operation can be carried out very user-friendly using a computer connected to a synthesis unit. With a specific software, the operator specifies the structure of the desired chip surface, and the synthesis unit manufactures the chip in just a few hours.

The new DNA chips complete the already existing equipment business of Roche Diagnostics` business area, Roche Applied Science. Genes will be identified by the chip technology, then they will be amplified via PCR so that their properties can be studied in detail - this is the link to LightCycler and MagNaPure.

About CombiMatrix Corporation
CombiMatrix Corporation is developing a platform technology that allows the company to rapidly produce customizable active biochips, which are semiconductor-based tools for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes, gene mutations and proteins. The company is designing its products principally to be responsive to the needs of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic researchers in analyzing raw genomic data in the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products. CombiMatrix's website is located at www.combimatrix.com.

About Acacia Research Corporation
Acacia Research Corporation develops and operates life science and enabling technology companies. The company's core technology opportunity has been developed through its subsidiary, CombiMatrix Corporation. Acacia Research intends to build and acquire companies in the life science and material science fields that will utilize CombiMatrix's biochip technology. Acacia Research's website is located at www.acaciaresearch.com.

About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-oriented healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins. Roche's products and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing well-being and quality of life. Roche's Diagnostics Division supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories worldwide. Roche's website is located at www.roche.com.