IdentiGEN Appoints Biotech Entrepreneur Dr. John Monahan to Board of Directors

Dublin, Ireland,  June 19, 2007. IdentiGEN Ltd., a leading provider of DNA-based solutions to the agriculture and food industries, today announced the appointment of John Monahan, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors. Dr. Monahan was founding CEO of Avigen, Inc., where for over 12 years he developed a pipeline of novel clinical products, raised over $235 million in capital and oversaw the company’s initial public offering on the Nasdaq exchange.

IdentiGEN developed and markets DNA TraceBack, a proprietary DNA-based meat identification technology system. DNA TraceBack can guarantee the quality and safety of beef and pork products by identifying their source throughout the entire chain of production–from the animal of origin right to the consumer’s plate.

“At a time when food safety has emerged as a front-burner issue, IdentiGEN’s DNA Traceback technology is a proven and practical system that allows the origin of meat to be traced to its source rapidly and affordably,” said Dr. Monahan. “This novel application of DNA technology is already in successful commercial use in Europe, and I look forward to working with IdentiGEN as it takes DNA Traceback into new markets and continues to expand its line of innovative products.”

Dr. Monahan currently serves on the Board of Directors of a number of private life sciences companies. Before founding Avigen, he was vice president of research and development at Somatix Therapy (now Cell Genesys), director of molecular and cell biology at Triton Biosciences (now Berlex Laboratories), and research group chief of the department of molecular genetics at Hoffmann-LaRoche.

“Dr. Monahan’s varied and distinguished record of achievement in leading technology-based organizations will be of significant value to IdentiGEN as we continue to expand the scope of our business,” said Dr. Patrick Cunningham, co-founder and chairman of IdentiGEN, Ltd. “John’s perspective reflects his combination of scientific expertise and success in growing new commercial enterprises, and his experience spans entrepreneurial and global life sciences firms. We look forward to his unique contributions as we work together to take IdentiGEN to the next stage.”

Dr. Monahan received his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from McMaster University in Canada and a B.S. degree from University College Dublin. After completing his doctoral studies, he received a Canadian Medical Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship. Dr. Monahan has authored more than 50 scientific publications and reviews. In 2005, he received the Irish American Life Science Award, presented to Irish Americans who have made notable contributions to their fields.