Andover, Massachussett
March 24, 2003

InnoCentive® today announced that Syngenta has joined InnoCentive's online scientific forum, a global community where world-class scientists and companies collaborate to solve research and development (R&D) problems.

As the newest member of InnoCentive's "Seeker" community, Syngenta has already begun to post tough scientific problems on the InnoCentive Website, www.innocentive.com. More than 20,000 leading scientists and researchers in 125 countries make up the InnoCentive community of "Solvers" who can submit solutions and receive a financial award. Solvers range from retirees to large contract research
organizations to employed scientists solving InnoCentive Challenges(TM) in their spare time.

"Through InnoCentive, Syngenta should be able to significantly enhance its current research initiatives," said Jill A. Panetta, PhD, chief scientific officer of InnoCentive. "InnoCentive provides Syngenta, like all other Seekers, with a secure way to tap the knowledge and expertise of a global community of scientists. We have found that this multi-disciplinary environment often leads to novel and unexpected solutions that otherwise would not have been possible."

Each InnoCentive Challenge submitted by a Seeker company includes a detailed description and requirements, a deadline and an award amount for the best solution. InnoCentive publishes the Challenges on its Website, www.innocentive.com, and works with scientists around the world to generate high-quality solutions. The Seeker company reviews all submissions, and awards are issued by InnoCentive for only the best solutions that meet the Seeker's requirements. Award amounts typically range from USD $5,000 to $100,000. The name of the Seeker company remains confidential
and secure for any scientific challenge posted on innocentive.com. 

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness. The company is a leader in crop protection and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2002 were approximately US $6.2 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in over 90 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in London (SYA), New York (SYT) and Stockholm (SYN). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com. 

InnoCentive is the first online forum that allows world-class scientists and science-based companies to collaborate in a global scientific community to achieve innovative solutions to complex challenges. InnoCentive is an e-business company of Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven pharmaceutical company. To learn more, visit the InnoCentive Website at www.innocentive.com. 

InnoCentive is a registered trademark of InnoCentive, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.