SAN LEANDRO, California —April 19, 2004— MDL Information Systems, Inc. and its parent company Elsevier have introduced xPharm, a unique new database that offers researchers comprehensive pharmacological information on targets, disorders, agents, and principles. The highly accessible, linked information in xPharm, including summaries for non-specialists and detailed views for experts, allows life science researchers to apply an understanding of interactions and relationships between compounds and biological systems early in the discovery process.

"For life scientists, xPharm is an invaluable resource during disease research and drug discovery and development," said MDL CEO Bernard Aleva. "xPharm helps project team members understand the complex relationships of drug agents and biological systems early in the discovery process, so teams can make better decisions and focus efforts on the most viable leads sooner."

xPharm is the equivalent of an expert pharmacologist, on-call to supply researchers with detailed information to assist in critical discovery planning and decision making. Topics in the database are linked hierarchically to allow researchers to obtain general overviews or detailed information depending on their needs or prior knowledge of a topic. Information is highly structured, indexed, and interlinked so it is easy to navigate.

xPharm is the most comprehensive pharmacological data source available, featuring greater detail than any other pharmacological source. Records are written by preeminent researchers in pharmacology and life sciences. External links from xPharm to related data provide a seamless network of extended pharmacological information, and the database integrates directly with complementary data such as full text articles, protein and gene sequences, and PubMed (appropriate subscriptions and licenses required to access third-party content). xPharm is now available. For more information visit www.mdl.com or contact an MDL or Elsevier Account Manager to arrange for a demonstration.

MDL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elsevier and its products and services are part of Elsevier's life sciences portfolio. This portfolio combines extensive MDL informatics, database, workflow, and decision support solutions with Elsevier's 400 chemistry and life science journals and related products—accelerating the discovery and development of innovative and successful new drugs by improving the speed and quality of scientists' decision making.

Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical, and medical information products and services. Working in partnership with the global science and health communities, the company publishes more than 1,800 journals and 2,200 new books per year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, online reference works and subject-specific portals. Elsevier is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider. Reed Elsevier's ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).