Tm BIOSCIENCE ANNOUNCES FIRST SUPPLY AGREEMENT
TORONTO, ON, December 19, 2002 — Tm Bioscience Corporation (TSX Venture: TMC) today announced a
development and supply agreement with an undisclosed, U.S. customer for Tm’s Tag-It™ Mutation Detection Kit for
P450-2D6. The customer will validate this genetic test. In exchange for early access to the kit, the customer has
agreed to purchase a minimum quantity of tests over the next three years. The Tag-It™ Mutation Detection for P450-2D6 is expected to be commercially available in mid-2003. It is estimated that 20% of currently available prescription
drugs are metabolized by P450-2D6 derived enzymes.
“We are pleased to sign our first supply agreement with a U.S. customer, a significant provider of drug metabolism
genotyping services to the worldwide pharmaceutical industry,” said Greg Hines, President and CEO of Tm Bioscience.
“Over the course of 2003 we expect to be able to sign additional customers for our P450-2D6 product, along with other
genetic tests in our product portfolio.” The Tm Bioscience Tag-It™ Mutation Detection Kit for P450-2D6 will test for the 12 most important variants in the
P450-2D6 gene. In addition to point mutations, the Kit will identify patients lacking one or both copies of the P450-2D6
gene (deletion patients) and those with multiple (greater than 2 copies) copies of the gene. More than 10% of
Caucasians have mutations or a total absence of the P450-2D6 gene, resulting in significantly decreased drug
metabolism, which can result in adverse drug reactions. Duplication of the gene is known to cause “ultra rapid
metabolism” rendering some drugs ineffective at commonly used dosages. Hospitalization for adverse drug reactions is
the third leading cause of emergency room admissions in the United States.
About Tm Bioscience – Putting the Human Genome to Work™
Tm Bioscience is a DNA-based diagnostics company developing a suite of genetic tests. Tm Bioscience’s product
pipeline includes tests for genetic mutations related to hematology, cystic fibrosis, toxicology and other debilitating
genetic disorders. Tm Bioscience is located in Toronto, Ontario. Additional information about Tm Bioscience can be
found at www.tmbioscience.com .
CONTACT:
James Smith
Investor and Media Inquiries
416-815-0700 ext.229
416-815-0080 fax
jsmith@equicomgroup.com
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
James Smith
The Equicom Group Inc.
416-815-0700 ext.229
jsmith@equicomgroup.com
