Washington University and Duke University Researchers Collaborate to Identify
       The Natural Ligands for Three Novel G protein-coupled Receptors

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Norak Biosciences,
Inc. today announced important scientific validation of Transfluor(R)
technology for use in deorphanizing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).  A
paper published online October 10, 2003 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry
entitled "Identification of Drosophila Neuropeptide Receptors by GPCR-
Barrestin2 Interactions" describes the pivotal role of Transfluor (barrestin-
GFP) in ligand identification of three Drosophila melanogaster (fly) orphan
GPCRs.

A team of researchers led by Dr. Paul H. Taghert, Department of Anatomy
and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and
included Dr. Marc G. Caron, Department of Cell Biology, Duke University
Medical Center (a Norak scientific founder), successfully employed Transfluor
to discover neuropeptide ligands that regulate the function of three orphan
receptors.  From this work they concluded that the barrestin-GFP translocation
assay is an important tool for ligand identification of novel G protein-
coupled receptors.

"We were impressed that monitoring GPCR/barrestin interactions proved
efficient to study so many different receptor subtypes," commented Dr.
Taghert.  "Among the 44 peptide GPCRs in Drosophila, some appear similar to
mammalian GPCR's, while others are more distantly-related.  In fact, the assay
proved equally effective for all GPCRs tested."

"This study provides us with an actual confirmation of what we had
predicted more than five years ago when we first developed this assay,"
commented Dr. Caron.  "That is, if you can successfully express a GPCR in a
heterologous cellular system, the ability of the Transfluor assay to monitor
in real time and in a single cell the agonist-dependent
activation/desensitization process of the receptor is an extremely powerful,
efficient and widely applicable paradigm."

Traditionally, deorphanizing GPCRs can require combination of binding or
signaling assays tailored to individual receptor subtypes.  This would require
development of several different assays.  A more general approach of ligand
identification based on a universally shared GPCR property would be
preferable.  Transfluor is based on the universal mechanism of desensitization
by which signaling is terminated.  Furthermore, GPCR/barrestin interactions
are independent of the specific pathways engaged, so this approach should
represent a universal tool for the identification of orphan GPCRs and their
ligands.  The complete manuscript can be accessed online at
http://www.jbc.org.

Norak's Transfluor(R) technology is a patented, universal GPCR drug
discovery technology designed to be the most direct and accurate method for
screening potential drug candidates against GPCR targets, whether known or
orphan.  Transfluor(R) was licensed in 1999 by Norak from technology developed
at Duke University Medical Center and represents the combined research into
GPCR signaling pathways over several decades by Norak's scientific founders,
Drs. Marc Caron, Robert Lefkowitz, and Larry Barak.

About Norak:

Norak Biosciences, Inc., headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, is a
private biotechnology company.  Norak is utilizing its proprietary Transfluor
technology to become a world leader in the discovery and development of drugs
that regulate G protein-coupled receptors.  For more information about Norak
Biosciences, Inc., please visit the Company's website at
http://www.norakbio.com.

Contact:

Terry E. Willard
Executive Vice President
Norak Biosciences, Inc.
7030 Kit Creek Road
Morrisville, NC 27560
Phone: 919 248 8000 x8804
Fax: 919 248 8033
twillard@norakbio.com
www.norakbio.com

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