To the Press: 15 October 2009 Exiqon Launches New MicroRNA qPCR Expression Platform COPENHAGEN - Exiqon A/S (NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen: “EXQ”) today announced the global launch of its new platform for quantitative real-time PCR analysis of microRNAs. The new miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR product line combines all the advantages of LNA™ technology with a Universal reverse transcription (RT) step, resulting in the most sensitive microRNA expression profiling system currently available. The use of two LNA™-enhanced PCR primers results in both exceptional sensitivity and specificity, enabling accurate quantitation of very low microRNA levels, and discrimination between closely related microRNA sequences. The universal RT step greatly reduces sample input requirements and technical variation, and most importantly saves time in the laboratory. The new microRNA qPCR product line includes Ready-to-Use qPCR panels, combining performance and ease of use for exceptionally sensitive expression profiling of 730 human microRNAs. The new panels have already been shown to enable accurate and reproducible expression profiling from samples with limited RNA yields such as FFPE sections and serum/plasma samples. “This is truly an enabling product” says Cynthia French, Chief Scientific Officer for Exiqon. “This new microRNA qPCR platform will make expression profiling of microRNAs possible from even smaller amounts of high value, clinically significant samples than previously thought possible.” In addition to the microRNA Ready-to-Use qPCR panels, all 730 primer sets are also available as individual microRNA assays. The platform also offers assays for reference genes and three new reagent kits for quantitative real-time PCR of microRNA species. “We are exceptionally excited to see Exiqon - a key player in the microRNA field - entering the market for large-scale microRNA expression profiling by qPCR” says Dr. Kai Wang from the Institute of Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA. “In our hands the microRNA Ready-to-Use PCR Panels gave sensitive and consistent results. The product clearly provides an excellent and convenient solution for global microRNA profiling”. “We are confident that these assays will provide us with an accurate and robust biomarker discovery and validation workflow in the future” says Dr. Angela K. Hodges, Lecturer from the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London, UK, who has been testing the new miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR assays on plasma samples. The new products are available to public as of October 15th, 2009. Details can be found on the company's website, at www.exiqon.com/mirna-pcr. Additional information Europe/ROW: Phone: +45 45 66 08 88 North America: 1-888-647-2879 www.exiqon.com/contact Lars Kongsbak, CEO, tel. +45 45 66 08 88 (cell: +45 40 90 21 01) R. Erik Holmlin, CCO, tel. +1-714-566-0470 About Exiqon Exiqon is a biotech company with activities in three business areas where the company's technologies provide a competitive advantage: Sale of diagnostic tests (Exiqon Diagnostics), sale of innovative research products for miRNA research (Exiqon Life Sciences), and in contract research together with pharmaceutical companies (Exiqon Pharma Services). Exiqon is dedicated to personalizing the treatment selection for cancer patients. The aim is to optimize the use of existing medicine and avoid unnecessary and non-effective treatment. By using molecular diagnostic tests that analyze the genetic profile of each patient's tumor, treatment selection can be optimized for individuals. Exiqon is uniquely positioned to develop such new diagnostic tests. Exiqon already markets diagnostic tests that based on fresh tumor tissue enable doctors to test whether their patients are resistant to one or more of the chemotherapies offered to treat these patients and help them select an efficacious treatment. Exiqon's new molecular diagnostic products are based on the LNA™ technology that enables testing on fixed tissue. Launch of the first molecular diagnostic product was announced in December 2008. A number of new products will follow in the years ahead. Using the LNA™ technology is what has allowed Exiqon to establish a position for itself as one of the market's leading providers of research products for gene expression analysis. These research products are used by university scientists and in the pharmaceutical industry around the world to make groundbreaking discoveries about the correlation between gene activity and the development various diseases. Exiqon is also collaborating with pharmaceutical companies in their effort to develop new medicines based on biomarkers (Personalized Medicine). Exiqon has more than 170 employees and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX in Copenhagen. Exiqon is financed until expected breakeven in 2011. For more information, please visit www.exiqon.com. Disclaimer Forward-looking statements: This announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding Exiqon's potential future development and financial performance and other statements which are not historical facts. Such statements are made on the basis of assumptions and expectations which, to the best of Exiqon's knowledge, are reasonable and well-founded at this time, but which may prove to be erroneous. Exiqon's operations are characterized by the fact that its actual results may deviate significantly from that described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.