Rosetta Biosoftware and Agilent Technologies announce licensing agreement with the Netherlands Bioinformatics Centre for the Rosetta Resolver system 
BioASP portal provides Dutch researchers access to Rosetta Resolver software in National Genomics Initiative
AMERSFOORT, NL, KIRKLAND, Wash., and PALO ALTO, Calif., May 27, 2003 -- Stichting Netherlands Bioinformatics Centre (NBIC), Rosetta Biosoftware and Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced an agreement to make the Rosetta Resolver(r) system available to the Dutch research community. The Stichting NBIC has obtained a license to the Rosetta Resolver system in which access will be made available through NBIC's BioASP portal to a larger group of Dutch researchers. BioASP maintains a unique Application Service Provider (ASP) model for a wide group of researchers in the Netherlands and will provide the required infrastructure, support and expertise to users in at least 10 academic research labs, with this number expected to grow.

The Rosetta Resolver system is an enterprise-wide gene expression data analysis system that is developed by Rosetta Biosoftware and distributed exclusively by Agilent, a leading gene expression solutions provider. Researchers use gene expression technologies to measure cellular gene activity under different conditions with the goal of understanding the molecular basis of disease and discovering new treatments. High-quality analytical software is critical for the interpretation of gene expression data.

Cooperation in Dutch Research
The BioASP (Bioinformatics Applications Service Provider) portal is an integral part of the strategy outlined by the National Genomics Initiative, a cabinet-appointed task force established in the Netherlands in late 2001. By combining the opportunities offered by genomics research with the scientific knowledge and expertise of the Netherlands, the task force aims to develop a national genomics infrastructure of world caliber within five years.

"The agreement with Rosetta and Agilent allows institutions participating in BioASP to access the Rosetta Resolver software at a considerably reduced cost of ownership by leveraging BioASP's server and portal service", said Jan Willem Tellegen, managing director of BioASP. "Researchers will enjoy considerable gains in efficiency because of the highly scalable infrastructure. We are very excited about the opportunity to provide leading researchers throughout the Netherlands access to the Rosetta Resolver system. We expect that cooperation between researchers will be greatly enhanced, because of improved data exchange possibilities and easier access to databases."

"We are proud to have Rosetta Resolver selected by BioASP to serve as the central pillar for gene expression analysis for researchers within the Netherlands." said Douglas E. Bassett, Jr., Ph.D., vice president and general manager of Rosetta Biosoftware. "We are excited to work collaboratively with BioASP as they continue to expand a cutting-edge national infrastructure for genomics research."

"The work being done by BioASP and the government of the Netherlands provides a model for other nations and academic organizations that are uniting together to build genomics research programs," said Barney Saunders, general manager and vice president of Agilent's BioResearch Solutions unit.

As the service is implemented, other tools will be integrated ranging from professional storage services to integration of other gene expression tools, already available through BioASP. New participants are expected to join the microarray services user group in the course of this year, including participants from the private sector.

About Rosetta Biosoftware
Rosetta Biosoftware is a leading provider of enterprise bioinformatics solutions for life science research. Its enterprise software solutions, including the Rosetta Resolver and Rosetta Luminator gene expression data analysis systems, are designed to empower researchers to accelerate discovery with advanced, scalable, and easy-to-use analysis technology. Rosetta Biosoftware is a business unit of Rosetta Inpharmatics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK). For more information on Rosetta Biosoftware, please visit www.rosettabio.com.

About the Netherlands Bioinformatics Centre
The Netherlands Bioinformatics Centre (NBIC) is a foundation that aims at stimulating bioinformatics within the genomics sector. NBIC is an integral part of the strategy outlined by the National Genomics Initiative in the Netherlands. It is the responsibility of NBIC to develop an integrated strategy regarding the offering of an innovative service package of bioinformatics tools and applications (BioASP), the development and coordination of an integrated research program (BioRange) and the coordination of education. More information about the activities of NBIC can be found on the portal of the bioinformatics application service provider (BioASP), www.bioasp.nl.

About Agilent Technologies 
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 32,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Neither Rosetta Inpharmatics nor Merck & Co., Inc. undertakes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the business of Merck & Co., Inc. including, among others, the extent to which Rosetta Inpharmatics' technology platform can be used in drug discovery programs, uncertainty of market acceptance of Rosetta Inpharmatics' technologies, ability to compete against existing technologies and those uncertainties mentioned in the cautionary statements in Item 1 of Merck & Co., Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and in Merck & Co., Inc.'s periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K (if any), which we incorporate by reference.

# # #

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Truong
Press Relations Associate
Life Science & Chemical Analysis
Agilent Technologies, Inc.

5301 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Mailstop-53U-WQ
Santa Clara, CA 95052-8059

+1 408 553-7113 Tel
+1 408 553-7284 Fax
www.agilent.com