Released on: October 16, 2008, 3:45 am

Press Release Author: Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: Eastern Biotech is pleased to announce its partnership with
deCODE genetics to market deCODE's tests for genetic variants conferring risk of a
number of common diseases.

Press Release Body: Eastern Biotech is pleased to announce its partnership with
deCODE genetics (Nasdaq:DCGN) to market deCODE's tests for genetic variants
conferring risk of a number of common diseases. The partnership allows Eastern
Biotech to offer its clients access to new genetic tests for assessing individual
risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation,
prostate cancer, glaucoma, breast cancer and others that deCODE is developing. All
deCODE tests have been validated through clinical trials involving thousands of
patients and controls from multiple populations, and have received full regulatory
approval. Eastern Biotech aims to become a leading provider of deCODE tests in the
UAE and other Middle Eastern Countries.

In the past, Eastern Biotech has introduced to the Middle East products such as
CancerSafe, genomic profile tests, family ancestry and other DNA tests. This new
range of deCODE genetics tests from type 2 diabetes to common cancers add a whole
new dimension to its current range of Predictive Genetic tests.

"Eastern Biotech is committed to provide advanced healthcare solutions to the
region" said Dr. Sanjida Ahmed, Director of Research at Eastern Biotech. "We are
constantly on the search for new breakthroughs and we are proud of our
collaboration with deCODE. We are very excited to be offering this new and growing
product range, which is going to be very useful for the UAE and Middle East
populations." She added.

Pankaj Sohaney, Manager Marketing said "The demand for genetic testing services in
the region is increasing. We receive regular enquiries from all GCC countries. This
partnership ensures that we are able to provide our customers with the widest range
of high quality genetic tests."

Genetic testing is becoming an increasingly important component of modern healthcare
as the focus shifts from intervention to prevention. An awareness of clinical
predisposition to the development of disease provides us critical lead time for the
implementation of vital pre-emptive and precautionary measures such as dietary
factors, detailed screening or pharmaceutical intervention. Eastern Biotech's
agreement with deCODE ensures that local clinicians can provide their patients with
the most accurate and timely information to delay or prevent the onset of diseases
such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

About Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences
website: www.easternbiotech.com
Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences is established within DuBiotech, the biotechnology
park in Dubai since November 2005. Its vision is to promote the health of the people
of the United Arab Emirates and the region through the introduction of
biotechnological products and systems, and through research into the diseases
relevant to this region, especially Genetic Disorders, Obesity, Diabetes and Heart
disease.
Eastern Biotech is working as a clinical reference laboratory for various genetic
and cytogenetic testing services in Middle East region through their test centers.
Eastern Biotech is a pioneer in this region for online predictive genetic services,
and has seen tremendous growth in the last 2 years.

About deCODE
deCODE is a biopharmaceutical company applying its discoveries in human genetics and
its capabilities in chemistry and structural biology to the development of drugs and
diagnostics for common diseases. deCODE's therapeutics programs include DG041, an
antiplatelet compound being developed for the prevention of arterial thrombosis;
DG051 and DG031, compounds targeting the leukotriene pathway for the prevention of
heart attack; and DG071 and a platform for other PDE4 modulators with therapeutic
applications in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. Through its
CLIA-registered laboratory, deCODE is offering a growing range of DNA-based tests
for gauging risk and empowering prevention of common diseases, including deCODE T2(tm)
for type 2 diabetes; deCODE AF(tm) for atrial fibrillation and stroke; deCODE MI(tm) for
heart attack; deCODE ProCa(tm) for prostate cancer; deCODE Glaucoma(tm) for a major type
of glaucoma; and deCODE BreastCancer(tm) for the common forms of breast cancer. deCODE
is delivering on the promise of the new genetics.SM Visit us on the web at
www.decode.com; on our diagnostics site at www.decodediagnostics.com; for our
pioneering personal genome analysis service, integrating the genetic variants
included in these tests and those linked to another twenty common diseases, at
www.decodeme.com; and on our blog at www.decodeyou.com.


Web Site: http://www.easternbiotech.com

Contact Details: Pankaj Sohaney
Manager-Business Development
Eastern Biotech & life Sciences
Dubai Media City
PO Box: 212671
Tel:: +971 4 3692061
Fax: +971 4 368762
email: pankaj@easternbiotech.com