EXACT Sciences Shows Link Between DNA Preservation and Improved Non-In

    Business Editors/Health Editors

    CHICAGO, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2005--EXACT Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ: EXAS) presented data at this week's Digestive Disease Week conference confirming that sample management techniques preserve DNA integrity, resulting in better test performance for its DNA screening technology for colorectal cancer. A manuscript of these results was recently accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
    "Evolution in science and continued progress in applied genomics for the detection of cancer and pre-cancers is what we're about at EXACT," commented Tony Shuber, EXACT Sciences' Chief Technology Officer. "More than five years ago we planned two large research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of stool-based DNA screening for colorectal cancer. Both of these studies, our 5,000 patient multi-center study and the 4,500 patient Mayo-NCI study, relied on our now-obsolete prototype technology. Through the exemplary work of our research team, we have now conclusively proven that DNA degradation limited the prototype's performance in these two studies.
    Even more exciting is that our DNA screening technology has greatly advanced since our prototype was developed. The research data we presented this week supports my long-held belief that DNA degradation is preventable, and sensitivity can be significantly increased, with the right sample management techniques in place, including those employed by LabCorp in today's commercial test, PreGen-Plus."
    David Ahlquist, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, commented that "Stool-based DNA screening for colon cancer has the potential to benefit a large segment of the population who should be screened for colon cancer but who will not, or cannot, get a colonoscopy. The science underlying stool-based DNA screening allows for improved test performance over time, and I expect continued technologic evolution in this area."
    EXACT Sciences is pursuing new scientific initiatives that focus on sensitivity gains through novel DNA marker formulations as well as the detection of pre-cancers; targets for which the Company's prototype technology was not principally designed.

    About EXACT Sciences Corporation

    EXACT Sciences Corporation uses applied genomics to develop effective, patient-friendly screening methods to detect cancer early. Its first commercial test, PreGen-Plus(TM), is used for screening colorectal cancer in the average-risk population. Colorectal cancer, which is the most deadly cancer among non-smokers, is curable if detected early. Despite the availability of colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests for more than 20 years, the rate of early detection of colorectal cancer remains low, and deaths from colorectal cancer remain high. EXACT Sciences believes its genomics-based technologies will enable early detection of colorectal cancer so that more people can be effectively treated. Founded in 1995, EXACT Sciences is based in Marlborough, Mass. Detailed information on EXACT Sciences and PreGen-Plus can be found on the World Wide Web at www.exactsciences.com and www.pregenplus.com.

    Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, EXACT Sciences' expectations concerning, among other things, its future sales volumes, revenues and expenses, its business outlook and business, the likelihood of third-party reimbursement of its technologies and the future inclusion of its products in reimbursement guidelines, the Company's marketing and sales strategies and programs and their likely future success and the effectiveness and market acceptance of its technologies. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond EXACT Sciences' control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. In particular, the risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the ability of EXACT Sciences to become profitable; the success of its strategic relationship with LabCorp; its ability to license certain technologies or obtain raw materials for its technologies; the ability to convince Medicare and other third-party payors to provide adequate reimbursement for EXACT Sciences' products and services; the ability to convince medical practitioners to order tests using EXACT Sciences' technologies; the ability to increase the performance of the PreGen-Plus test; the ability of EXACT Sciences or LabCorp to lower costs through automating and simplifying key operational processes; the inclusion of PreGen-Plus in cancer screening guidelines; the number of people who decide to be screened for colorectal cancer using EXACT Sciences' technologies; competition; the ability to comply with federal and state statutes and regulations relating to EXACT Sciences' products and services, including FDA requirements, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments; the ability to protect EXACT Sciences' intellectual property and the cost of enforcing or defending EXACT Sciences in litigation relating to intellectual property rights; the possibility that other companies will develop and market novel or improved methods for detecting colorectal cancer; and the ability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. EXACT Sciences undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by EXACT Sciences, see the disclosure contained in EXACT Sciences' public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings.

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CONTACT: Media: Fleishman-Hillard Christine Regan, 617-692-0522 reganc@fleishman.com or Investors: EXACT Sciences Corporation Harry Wilcox, III, 617-683-1275 hwilcox@exactsciences.com

KEYWORD: ILLINOIS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL MEDICAL DEVICES BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCT SOURCE: EXACT Sciences Corporation

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