Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
February 26, 2002

Paradigm Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDGM) today announced that Chief Executive Officer and President John A. Ryals was terminated. The company also announced that John E. Hamer, Ph.D., the company's chief scientific officer, has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer and President, while a global search is conducted.

Dr. Ryals founded the company in 1997 and has since served as the chief executive officer and president.

Dr. Hamer received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of California, Davis in 1987. Prior to joining the company, Dr. Hamer served as professor of biological sciences and adjunct professor of microbiology and immunology at Purdue University. While at Purdue, Dr. Hamer was awarded the David and Lucille Packard Fellowship and the National Science Foundation Presidential Faculty Fellowship.

Paradigm Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDGM), headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, is an integrated life sciences company developing novel technologies to speed the discovery of products for the advancement of human health, agriculture and nutrition. In human health, Paradigm seeks to use its proprietary MetaVantage(TM) metabolomics technology platform to transform drug discovery and development by significantly enhancing the study of drug targets, lead compounds, and predictive medicine. MetaVantage(TM) elucidates the metabolic profile of a cell, tissue, or fluid, and integrates this information with data from other genomics analyses using its proprietary comprehensive informatics system. By globally interrogating biochemistry, the MetaVantage(TM) technology extends traditional genomic technologies to reveal the next level of cellular information. In agriculture, Paradigm has unlocked the potential of functional genomics through its GeneFunction Factory(TM) industrialized
technology platform, which links gene expression profiling, biochemical profiling, and phenotypic profiling to create industry-leading genomic knowledge and intellectual property advantages. ParaGen, a new business venture between Celera Genomics, Inc. and Paradigm Genetics, Inc., offers gene sequencing, genotyping, and other genomic technology services to plant- and microbial-based product development customers. In nutrition, Paradigm uses its expertise in biochemical profiling and gene expression profiling to discover, develop, and commercialize plant and microbial-based nutraceutical products.