DNAP Holding Corporation announced today that it acquired Monsanto Company's strawberry development program. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The program includes exclusive rights to most of Monsanto's existing genetic and gene
technology for berry development, and a non-exclusive right to future Monsanto berry technology, including strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries and blueberries. The package includes a breeding program with a strawberry variety expected to be commercially available in the United States this year, as well as multiple strawberry varieties planned for commercial introduction over the next few years.

"This acquisition will solidify our position as the worldwide leader in transgenic strawberry
development and will enable DNAP to capitalize on the significant germplasm assets of the University of California, rights to which were obtained through the purchase of United AgriCorp
assets in 1997,'' stated Bernardo Jimenez, chairman and chief executive officer of DNAP Holding.

"The transaction is consistent with our strategy to build a global business in the development
and sale of vegatatively propagated fruit species, including berries differentiated through
transgenic technology,'' Mr. Jimenez said.

Berries represent an important part of the growing, global $2.5 billion starter plant market for
fruits, and DNAP is using its biotechnology capabilities to meet the significant market needs in
this sector.

DNAP Holding Corporation is a leading biotechnology company that develops and applies plant science capabilities to improve the quality and agronomic traits of fruits and vegetables, so as to capture value through its vertically integrated fresh produce company, as well as strategic relationships with several of ELM's subsidiaries, and with value-added producers and marketers.

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