March 30, 2004 - Research Triangle Park, NC - Norak Biosciences, Inc. announced today a broad European patent issuance covering compositions of matter and methods that protect its Transfluor ® technology.   The newly issued patent EP1015608 claims compositions and cells including a conjugate of a beta-arrestin, including variants, and any detectable molecule, such as a fluorescent protein or enzyme moiety.   This patent was internationally filed in June 1998 and published in December 1998, and subsequently translated throughout EPO member countries.   The patent is available for license.

"We are pleased to have exclusive Transfluor® rights in Europe," commented Dr. Roger. D. Blevins, Norak's President and CEO.   "Our broadened claims covering arrestins and any active label are now beginning to issue worldwide."

Norak's Transfluor ® technology is a patented, universal GPCR drug discovery technology designed to be the most accurate method for discovering ligands for GPCR targets, whether known or orphan. Transfluor ® was exclusively licensed in 1999 by Norak from technology developed at Duke University Medical Center and represents the combined research into GPCR signaling pathways over several decades by Norak's scientific founders, Drs. Marc Caron, Robert Lefkowitz, and Larry Barak.

About Norak:

Norak Biosciences, Inc., headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, is a private biotechnology company. Norak is utilizing its proprietary Transfluor ® technology to become a worldwide leader in the discovery and development of drugs that regulate G protein-coupled receptors. For more information about Norak Biosciences, Inc., please visit the Company's website at http://www.norakbio.com .

Contact :

Terry E. Willard
Executive Vice President
Norak Biosciences, Inc.
7030 Kit Creek Road
Morrisville, NC 27560
Phone: 919-248-8000 ext. 8804
Fax: 919-248-8033
twillard@norakbio.com

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