A medical professional society review of HER2 test accuracy found that as many as 20 percent of tests may be falsely positive; as many as 10 percent may be falsely negative.

"Accurate laboratory testing in breast cancer care is absolutely critical. This is the information from which subsequent treatment decisions follow," said Joanne Armstrong, MD, a senior medical director at Aetna and head of its genetics and women's health programs. "Lab quality for HER2 testing is of particular concern which is why Aetna has stepped forward to guide members and their physicians toward qualified labs that meet externally validated criteria."

Lab Accuracy

Despite the growing availability of genetic tests, and new guidelines for quality testing, there is no publicly available source of information for consumers or health care professionals about which labs meet quality standards. Aetna is making clinicians aware of the quality issues in testing and encouraging them to use high-volume labs that meet guidelines from the American Society for Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP). The company has sent letters to medical and surgical oncologists across the country with information about ASCO/CAP guidelines and the importance of using labs that meet those criteria.

Aetna's contracted labs, Genzyme Genetics, a division of Genzyme Corporation, and Quest Diagnostics, meet the guidelines. Both labs have been conducting HER2 testing since 1998.

Genzyme also is collaborating with Aetna to incent compliance with the ASCO/CAP guidelines and advance the quality of genetic laboratory tests. Genzyme has taken the proactive step of building quality standards into its contract with Aetna that tie reimbursement to specific targets of quality, testing volume, and turnaround time.

To further promote confidence in genetic tests for breast cancer, Aetna has a flexible reimbursement policy. Aetna will provide coverage for a repeat HER2 test performed at Quest Diagnostics or Genzyme Genetics if the accuracy of the original test result is uncertain and repeat testing will influence treatment decisions.

Research

Aetna also is working with researchers to understand how doctors use genetic lab tests to inform their treatment recommendations for women with breast cancer. The Aetna Foundation is funding research at the University of California, San Francisco and Brigham and Women's Hospital to evaluate whether women with breast cancer are offered genetic tests that help physicians individualize patient treatment based on the results. The results of this research are expected to guide the future development of educational interventions and decision support tools for patients and clinicians.

The initiatives above build on Aetna's industry leadership in genetic medicine. Telephone and Web-based genetic counseling for inherited cancers is available through Informed Medical Decisions. This national genetic counseling company is staffed with board-certified genetic counselors. Aetna also has developed policies to promote the evidence-based use of genetic services and recently announced its support of the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. www.aetna.com

SOURCE: Aetna

Aetna 
Wendy Morphew 
212-457-0320 
morphewws@aetna.com 
or 
Karin Rush-Monroe 
415-821-1578 
rushmonroek@aetna.com

"The Board of Directors thanks Henry for his vision in creating Dyax and for leading the Company through to its first BLA filing," stated Mary Ann Gray, member of the Dyax Board of Directors. "Henry has long been a valued member of the biotechnology community, having been among the select group of individuals who first recognized the immense potential of therapeutic proteins, such as Genzyme's Ceredase(R). He has also played an important role in a number of biotechnology companies. Because of his insight and experience, Henry has made innumerable contributions to Dyax over the past 20 years and we look forward to benefiting from his continued insight as Chairman."

"Henry's leadership and vision have been critical in making Dyax what it is today, a diversified company with a sought-after technology, a maturing pipeline, and an important product candidate in DX-88," added Mr. Christensen. "I am excited to lead Dyax into its next phase of growth and development and to build on this legacy as we prepare for commercialization of DX-88 in hereditary angioedema, expand and develop our pipeline and grow our licensing and funded research program."

Mr. Christensen joined Dyax as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer, where he has led the Company's partnering strategy and other business development activities, including licensing and collaboration transactions. He has over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology industry as an officer, director, investor and banker. Mr. Christensen received his master's of science degree in economics from the University of Aarhus (Denmark) and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Blair has been director and officer of Dyax since co-founding the company in 1989. He has over thirty years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, co-founding Dyax, Genzyme, Biocode, GelTex Pharmaceuticals and Biotage, the predecessor to Dyax. He has also served as a director of GTC Biotherapeutics, Esperion Therapeutics, Celtrix Pharmaceuticals, and DynaGen. Mr. Blair was also a member of the board of overseers at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Lahey Hitchcock Clinic and a trustee of the Harvard-affiliated Center for Blood Research.

About Dyax

Dyax is focused on advancing novel biotherapeutics for unmet medical needs, with an emphasis on oncology and inflammatory indications. Dyax utilizes its proprietary drug discovery technology to identify antibody, small protein and peptide compounds for clinical development. Dyax's lead product candidate is DX-88 (ecallantide), a recombinant small protein that is currently being evaluated for its therapeutic potential in two separate indications. On September 24, 2008, Dyax announced the submission of its Biologics License Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval of DX-88 for the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE). DX-88 has orphan drug designation in the U.S. and E.U., as well as Fast Track designation in the U.S., for the treatment of acute attacks of HAE. Additionally, DX-88 is being evaluated for the prevention of blood loss during on-pump cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) through its partner Cubist Pharmaceuticals. Dyax licensed to Cubist the intravenous formulation of DX-88 for surgical indications in North America and Europe. DX-88 and other compounds in Dyax's pipeline were identified using its patented phage display technology, which rapidly selects compounds that bind with high affinity and specificity to therapeutic targets. Dyax leverages this technology broadly with over 70 revenue generating licenses and collaborations for therapeutic discovery, as well as in non-core areas such as affinity separations, diagnostic imaging, and research reagents. Dyax is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For online information about Dyax Corp., please visit www.dyax.com.

Dyax Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the prospects for further growth and development of Dyax and for commercialization of DX-88. Statements that are not historical facts are based on Dyax's current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which Dyax competes. The statements contained in this release are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors which may affect the prospects for further growth and development of Dyax and for commercialization of DX-88 include the risks that: DX-88 could take a significantly longer time to gain regulatory approval than Dyax expects or may never gain approval; Dyax product candidates may not show therapeutic effect or an acceptable safety profile in clinical trials; others may develop technologies or products superior to Dyax's product candidates; Dyax is dependent on the expertise, effort, priorities and contractual obligations of third parties in the clinical trials, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of its biopharmaceuticals; Dyax product candidates may not gain market acceptance; Dyax may not be able to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its products and technologies; and other risk factors described or referred to in Dyax's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Dyax cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this release, and Dyax undertakes no obligations to update or revise these statements, except as may be required by law.

Dyax and the Dyax logo are registered trademarks of Dyax Corp. Ceradase is a registered trademark of Genzyme Corporation.

SOURCE: Dyax Corp.

Dyax Corp. 
Ivana MagovAeviA-Liebisch, 617-250-5759 
Executive Vice President of Administration 
and General Counsel 
imagovcevic@dyax.com 
or 
Nicole Jones, 617-250-5744 
Director, Investor Relations 
njones@dyax.com

Both organizations bring strong capabilities in biotechnology research and drug development. The ICGEB is a premier global research organization, with the mandate to use biotechnology to find solutions to problems of the developing world. Funded in part by the Department of Biotechnology of the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it conducts innovative research in life sciences and strengthens the research capabilities of its 57 member countries through training, funding programs and advisory services.

Genzyme is one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, and uses the most advanced technologies in the life sciences to develop treatments for people with serious diseases. The company supports efforts to discover and advance novel treatments for neglected diseases such as malaria, Chagas disease and sleeping sickness through its Humanitarian Assistance for Neglected Diseases (HAND) initiative. The HAND initiative complements existing Genzyme programs that provide free medicines and help to build sustainable healthcare systems in developing countries. Genzyme established a formal presence in India last year to actively collaborate with private and public institutions in the country and the region.

"The biotechnology industry is in a remarkable position to address neglected diseases with novel technology, world-renowned scientists and research partners dedicated to a shared commitment to improve human health," Henri A. Termeer, chairman and chief executive officer of Genzyme Corporation said. "The ICGEB is unlocking new approaches to preventing malaria, and Genzyme is ready build on their momentum and move these promising targets through the drug discovery process, ultimately bringing critical treatments to people at risk in the developing world. We look forward to building a productive, sustainable partnership with ICGEB."

Virander Chauhan, director of ICGEB, New Delhi, said, "We are excited about this new collaboration. Combining ICGEB's domain knowledge in malaria with Genzyme's expertise in drug development opens up new possibilities for the development of novel strategies to combat malaria."

Welcoming the new initiative, Maharaj Bhan, secretary of the Department of Biotechnology of the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology, said, "This is an innovative new model for translational research through public-private partnerships. My best wishes to ICGEB and Genzyme for a fruitful and successful collaboration."

About ICGEB

The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is an intergovernmental organization that is dedicated to advanced research and training in molecular biology and biotechnology with special regard to problems of developing countries. Established in 1987, ICGEB currently has 57 member countries with laboratories in New Delhi, India, Trieste, Italy and Cape Town, South Africa and a network of affiliated centers in its member states.

ICGEB, New Delhi conducts basic and applied research on problems related to human health and agriculture. In human health, research at ICGEB, New Delhi focuses on infectious diseases including malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, Hepatitis E, Hepatitis B and dengue. Research on malaria focuses on understanding the biology of the malaria parasite and its interaction with the host. This knowledge is used to pursue novel approaches to develop drugs and vaccines to combat malaria.

More information on ICGEB and its programs is available at www.icgeb.trieste.it

About Genzyme Corporation

One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 10,000 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2007 revenues of $3.8 billion. In 2007, Genzyme was chosen to receive the National Medal of Technology, the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States for technological innovation.

With many established products and services helping patients in nearly 90 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant and immune disease, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and other areas of unmet medical need.

Genzyme's press releases and other company information are available at www.genzyme.com and by calling Genzyme's investor information line at 1-800-905-4369 within the United States or 1-678-999-4572 outside the United States.

SOURCE: Genzyme Corporation

Media Contacts: 
Genzyme Corporation 
Lori Gorski, 617-768-9344 
lori.gorski@genzyme.com 
or 
ICGEB 
Dr. Chetan Chitnis, +91 98104 00155 
or 
Investor Contact: 
Genzyme Corporation 
Patrick Flanigan, 617-768-6563