For Immediate Release

EPOCH BIOSCIENCES EXPANDS MINOR GROOVE BINDER PATENT PORTFOLIO

February 19, 2003

BOTHELL, WA -- Epoch Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: EBIO), a provider of proprietary products that accelerate genomic analysis, announced it received U.S. Patent number 6,492,346 on "Hybridization and Mismatch Discrimination using Oligonucleotides Conjugated to Minor Groove Binders."

This patent consolidates and strengthens Epoch's position as the undisputed leader in Minor Groove Binder technology with emphasis on MGBs(TM) attached to DNA probes. MGB probe technology greatly improves the performance of hybridization-based systems for genetic analysis, including detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and allows the generation of highly quantitative gene expression systems.

MGB technology is incorporated in Epoch's proprietary MGB Eclipse(TM) Probe Systems, which are distributed worldwide by Amersham Biosciences and QIAGEN N. V., and constitute a key element of Applied Biosystems' MGB-TaqMan® product line.

William G. Gerber, M.D., chief executive officer of Epoch, said, "This patent is the sixth received by the company in seven months and adds significantly to our position in the DNA probe business. Our strategy has been to make this useful tool broadly and rapidly available to scientists by offering it directly from Epoch in our own products distributed by well-established global companies and via the Internet from our own web site and those of our partners, and incorporating it in the products and product portfolios of leading bioscience companies."

Minor Groove Binders

Minor groove binders are a potent class of naturally occurring antibiotics. These long, flat molecules adopt a "crescent shape" that fits snugly into the minor groove formed by double stranded DNA. They stabilize the bond between a DNA probe and gene through hydrophobic interactions. Epoch was the first to recognize the potential of minor groove binders to stabilize DNA hybridization and developed proprietary synthetic molecules (the MGB(TM)) for use with DNA probe based detection systems.

About Epoch Biosciences

Epoch Biosciences develops and sells proprietary products with commercial applications in the genomics and molecular diagnostics fields. Epoch's technology has numerous applications including the detection of inherited diseases and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify individuals at risk for disease or adverse drug reactions. The Company's chemical reagents enhance the performance of genetic analysis procedures, and are compatible with the majority of DNA analysis systems currently employed or under development for research and diagnostic uses. The Company licenses its chemistries to leading genomics companies for incorporation in their systems and distribution to end-users. Epoch also manufactures and sells specialty oligonucleotides and genetic detection systems employing its proprietary chemistry. Information about Epoch is available at www.epochbio.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the possibility that the products utilizing Epoch Biosciences' technologies may not be commercially successful or that third parties assert proprietary rights that preclude Epoch or its distributors from marketing Epoch's products and technologies. These factors and others may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results. Additional information about potential risk factors that could affect Epoch's business and financial results is included in Epoch's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and in other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as to the date of this release and Epoch undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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