Divergence, a Genomics Company, Raises $1.4 Million and Appoints Derek Rapp CEO

ST. LOUIS, Missouri. April 5, 2001 - Divergence Inc. the nematode genomics company, announced today it has completed a successful financing round, raising $1.4 million. The company identifies target parasitic nematode genes in order to develop effective and ecologically sound methods for agricultural pest control.

"Divergence's technical team has made great strides in the past 18 months, and the potential for the company as a leading provider of nematode-control technology to crop protection and animal health companies is tremendous," said John W. McCarter Jr., Chairman of the Board of Divergence. "We are very pleased investors appreciate the exciting prospects for Divergence, evidenced especially by the fact that the offering was over-subscribed."

"These funds will allow Divergence to grow its team of scientists, thus increasing the likelihood of success for the company," continued McCarter. "Divergence is well positioned to expand greatly its intellectual property portfolio of identified and validated gene targets this year."

Separately, Divergence announced it has appointed Derek Rapp as its Chief Executive Officer. He also becomes a member of Divergence's Board of Directors. Mr. Rapp joins Divergence after twelve years at Monsanto in several positions, including Director, Mergers and Acquisitions; Director, Commercial Partnerships and Alliances; and Director, Investor Relations. His experience includes six years focused on agriculture and plant biotechnology. Previously, Mr. Rapp worked in mergers and acquisitions with Lazard Freres & Co. in New York. He has a B.A. degree from Brown University with concentrations in Economics and German and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania with concentrations in Finance and Corporate Management.

"Divergence is fortunate to have Derek heading our business operations," said McCarter. "He brings considerable experience in strategic planning and negotiations, including the negotiation of acquisitions and licensing deals in plant biotechnology, and he understands many of the agricultural markets that Divergence is targeting. Already, we have seen him make our team more effective."

Divergence Inc. is a St. Louis Missouri-based biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery of highly effective and ecologically sound strategies for agricultural pest control. The company's initial focus is on parasitic nematodes, one of the world's major agricultural pest groups, which cause billions of dollars in damage annually to numerous crops, such as soybeans, cotton, strawberries, and bananas. Nematodes also cause widespread disease in animals, including infections such as hookworm and heartworm, commonly found in dogs and cats. Nematode-induced human diseases include elephantiasis and African river blindness.

Divergence was founded by James McCarter, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of Divergence and Group Leader for Parasitic Nematode Genome Projects at Washington University's Genome Sequencing Center. The chairman of the company's Scientific Advisory Board is Sean Eddy, Ph.D., the Alvin Goldfarb Distinguished Professor of Computational Biology at Washington University School of Medicine. Divergence uses genomic and bioinformatic strategies to target unique or divergent aspects of nematode physiology that can lead to the development of nematode control methods, which are non-toxic to plant, animal, or human hosts, as well as to the environment. Divergence is discovering and patenting the use of select target genes.

For more information on Divergence Inc. visit our Web site at: www.divergence.com.