Des Moines, Iowa and Palo Alto, California
January 13, 2003

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. will gain a better understanding of genes responsible for triggering and controlling complex plant processes through a new relationship with Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) and Rosetta Biosoftware.

Researchers at Pioneer, a subsidiary of DuPont headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, will use microarray and informatics systems from Agilent and Rosetta in their plant genomics research to construct a series of snapshots of how genes express themselves during specific stages of a plant's life. Gaining a better understanding of plant function will enable Pioneer to continue to accelerate the product breakthroughs and improvements it brings to farmers each growing season.

Agilent will provide Pioneer with its customized offering of DNA microarrays and related services and microarray reagents under Agilent's Custom Microarray Program. Pioneer will analyze the microarray data using the Rosetta Resolver(R) system, distributed exclusively through Agilent.

"These are powerful technologies made all the more powerful by their use at Pioneer," said Tony Cavalieri, vice president and director, Trait and Technology Development for Pioneer. "The combination of these tools, Pioneer's superior germplasm and our established genomics programs will provide our researchers with significant advantages. We will expand and deepen our understanding of gene expression in plants, enabling us to improve our products' performance and develop new products for our customers."

The Agilent and Rosetta Biosoftware systems provide another tool in Pioneer's genomics program and will contribute to Pioneer's strengths in such areas as proteomics, biochemistry and physiology. Pioneer was the first agricultural plant genetics company to enter into the field of genomics for product development. Pioneer has gene sequence information for approximately 80 percent of the genes in corn.

"Our collaboration with Pioneer to capture information that will ultimately expand knowledge of how plants work is beneficial to all parties along the food value chain," said Barney Saunders, vice president and general manager of Agilent's BioResearch Solutions Unit. "We are confident that the enhanced sensitivity of our 60-mer microarrays and the speed and flexibility of our customizable microarray manufacturing will provide an advantage to Pioneer in advancing their genomics research."

Rosetta Biosoftware is a leading provider of bioinformatics solutions to aid in drug discovery and the development of pharmaceutical and agricultural products. Its enterprise software solutions, including the Rosetta Resolver Gene Expression Data Analysis System, are designed to accelerate life science research using advanced genomic data analysis technology. Rosetta Biosoftware is a business unit of Rosetta InpharmaticsLLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK).

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 36,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a 200-year-old science company offering innovative products, technologies and services that improve the lives of people everywhere. Headquartered in Wilmington, Del., DuPont delivers science-based solutions to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation, apparel, home and textiles.

Resolver is a U.S. registered trademark of Rosetta Inpharmatics LLC