Contacts:

Mohan Iyer, diaDexus  (408) 330-5031  miyer@diadexus.com

Doug Forsyth, Agilent (650) 485-5603  doug_forsyth@agilent.com

DIADEXUS TO USE AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES' DNA MICROARRAYS TO FURTHER CANCER RESEARCH

Microarrays to Be Used to Discover Novel Biomarkers for the Detection and Treatment of Disease

Palo Alto and Santa Clara, CA - October 23, 2000 - Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A), a leading provider of innovative technologies for communications and life sciences, today announced that it has entered into a TAP¹ agreement with diaDexus Inc. for gene expression system technology. This agreement will allow diaDexus to obtain access to Agilent's customizable microarray technology for research into the molecular basis for cancer and other diseases. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

"There is a growing demand for customizable arrays to use in high-throughput gene-based research," said Bill Buffington, vice president of Agilent's Life Sciences Business Unit. "This agreement is further proof of Agilent's stated intent to bring innovative microarray and other instrument solutions to the disease and drug discovery marketplace, and we are pleased diaDexus has selected our array platform for their cancer research efforts."

"Agilent's arrays will allow us to screen thousands of genes that are potentially involved in various cancers. Agilent will print tailored arrays that will power our efforts in the discovery and validation of novel biomarkers," said Mohan Iyer, vice president of diaDexus' R&D Operations and Business Development. "This will become an integral part of the company's process for developing products to detect disease at an early stage, predict and monitor response to therapy, and select the most appropriate therapeutic regimen."

Agilent Technologies in Gene Expression
Agilent Technologies is a leading provider of solutions, including consulting services, informatics software and tools for gene expression analysis, a fast-growing field of study that allows researchers to identify key gene transcriptional regulatory events or pathways associated with diseases or biologies. Researchers can do rapid, iterative, hypothesis-driven gene expression research by first determining their research goals and then having custom-designed microarrays developed by Agilent to be delivered within days. Agilent is also a leading original equipment manufacturer of high-quality bioanalyzers and microarray scanners. Agilent supports the collaborative research efforts by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and others to analyze genome-wide patterns of mRNA expression, and is actively driving open data standards for gene expression research in alliance with Rosetta Inpharmatics Inc.

About diaDexus
Located in Santa Clara, California, diaDexus is a genomics company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel genomic biomarkers for the detection and treatment of disease. The Company is developing novel, genomically derived products to detect the early onset of disease, select the most appropriate patient-specific therapeutic regimen and predict and monitor patient response to therapy. Further, the Company is planning to utilize its patented genomic biomarkers to develop novel therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic vaccines.

For more information, visit the diaDexus Web site at www.diadexus.com.

About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a diversified technology company with approximately 46,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. In fiscal year 1999, Agilent had net revenue of more than $8.3 billion. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare.

Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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