U.S. Army Space Missile Defense Command to Procure Reagents From IGEN For Detection of Biological Agents

IGEN International, Inc. (Nasdaq: IGEN) announced today that it has signed an agreement to sell products to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command based on IGEN's ORIGEN(R) technology for the detection of specific biological agents important to the United States Department of Defense.

In addition to this production contract, IGEN already received and filled an order for twenty ORIGEN Analyzers for delivery to the Department of Defense. Revenues attributable to these instruments and reagents are anticipated to be at least $2 million dollars. The instruments and reagents are expected to be deployed to various laboratories of the Department of Defense for the detection of agents or toxins in environmental samples.

Delivery of the instruments has been completed, and reagent deliveries will continue through early 2003. U.S. Army scientists at Fort Detrick, Maryland have developed biological assays designed to measure specific agents and toxins using electrochemiluminescence, IGEN's patented technology. This technology provided the U.S. Army equal or better measures of sensitivity compared to other methods, including PCR-based techniques. In October, 2001, IGEN reported that its activities with the U.S. Army regarding the use of the Company's proprietary ORIGEN technology had been accelerated by the U.S. Army.

During recent months the Company has continued to work closely with various agencies within the military and departments of public health to use the Company's proprietary ORIGEN technology for the detection of Category A and Category B biological agents, including agents such as anthrax, staphylococcus enterotoxin B, and botulinum toxin, among others. "This agreement with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Command represents an extraordinary tribute to the power, versatility and sensitivity of our ORIGEN technology," stated Samuel J. Wohlstadter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IGEN. "We are proud to be able to collaborate with the U.S. Army to develop detection systems to enhance the safety of our armed forces and civilian populations. We look forward to expanding our work in this field to develop a broader menu of products critical to the defense effort." IGEN develops and markets biological detection systems based on its proprietary ORIGEN technology, which provides a unique combination of sensitivity, reliability, speed, and flexibility. ORIGEN-based systems are used in a wide variety of applications, including clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research and development, life science research, and industrial testing for food safety and quality control.

These systems are marketed by IGEN and its licensees and/or distributors-Roche Diagnostics, Organon Teknika, Eisai Co. Ltd., Sumitomo Corp., and Sanko Junyaku Co. Ltd. IGEN and ORIGEN are registered trademarks of IGEN International Inc.