SAN DIEGO, CA March 19, 2001 -- Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that David L. Linemeyer, Ph.D. has joined the company as Executive Director of Biological Sciences responsible for both pharmacology and biochemistry research. Before joining Metabasis, Dr. Linemeyer spent 4 years at Bayer Corporation as Director of Obesity Research and nearly 15 years at Merck & Co. where from 1989-1995 he was an Associate Director in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biochemistry. Dr. Linemeyer received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington and conducted post-doctoral work at the National Institutes of Health working in the Laboratory of Tumor Virus Genetics, National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Mark Erion, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Metabasis stated, "Dr. Linemeyer is a welcome addition to our R&D management team. Dave's research over the years has ranged from cloning and study of viral proteins to transcriptional regulation of HMG CoA reductase and LDL receptors to the study and characterization of novel G protein-coupled receptors and their role in metabolic diseases such as obesity. His drug discovery experience fits well with Metabasis' emphasis on metabolism and liver-related disorders. We expect that Dave will help us accelerate our current programs in diabetes, hepatitis and liver cancer and also help us identify new opportunities that match our scientific expertise and therapeutic focus."Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company that develops proprietary products for the treatment of human disease with a focus on diseases that involve the liver. The Company is a leader in the field of nucleoside/nucleotide metabolism and small molecule chemistry, and has proprietary expertise in liver biology and organ-specific drug delivery. In addition to developing novel oral drugs to treat diabetes, Metabasis has developed the HepDirect™ Prodrug Technology that allows liver-specific delivery of new and existing drugs to improve efficacy and decrease toxicity. Two novel HepDirect™ small molecule drugs to treat hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma are in advanced preclinical development. Metabasis' patent portfolio includes over 26 issued patents in its fields of study. The Company occupies state-of-the-art research facilities in San Diego, California.