Elsevier to divest MDL

["Menefee, Daviess (ELS-NYC)" <D.Menefee@elsevier.com>]

The following press release was distributed to the media today.  Account
Managers will be contacting their customers during this transition.

Daviess Menefee
Library Relations
Elsevier

SANTA CLARA, Calif. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 
2007--Symyx Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMMX) today announced it 
has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain 
content and software products of MDL Information Systems for $123 
million in cash (subject to a working capital adjustment) from 
Elsevier Inc.

Through this acquisition, Symyx will become a leader in R&D 
informatics with:

-expanded portfolio of complementary, integrated desktop and 
enterprise R&D informatics offerings, including software, 
content, systems and services essential to critical R&D 
activities in the life sciences, chemicals and energy industries

-expanded market presence consisting of long-standing 
relationships with over 1,000 customers and approximately 50,000 
users

-expanded, global sales, marketing, distribution and customer 
support infrastructure

-deep technical expertise to advance MDL's industry-leading 
informatics, database and workflow solutions to meet customer 
needs

Transaction Overview

Combining Symyx and MDL offerings has the opportunity to create 
the most complete set of solutions available to enhance the 
efficiency and productivity of R&D in these industries. Symyx, 
based in Santa Clara, CA, provides electronic lab notebook (ELN), 
automation and scientific decision-support software, automated 
lab systems (workflows) and collaborative research services to 
improve R&D productivity. MDL, based in San Ramon, CA, provides 
technical R&D software solutions to more than 1,000 life sciences 
companies. MDL's integrated informatics and content solutions for 
discovery chemistry and biology include its ISIS and Isentris 
platforms, and such industry standards as MDL Draw, MDL Direct, 
Available Chemicals Directory (ACD) and DiscoveryGate. With this 
solution set, Symyx will be able to accelerate its customers' 
move toward paperless labs by integrating content, collaborative 
desktops, automation and information management for users, 
workgroups and the enterprise.

Following the closing of the acquisition, Symyx expects to work 
closely with Elsevier, the world's leading publisher of 
scientific, technical and medical information, in key areas as 
part of a continuing strategic relationship to support existing 
and new customers. As part of this ongoing relationship, 
customers are expected to benefit from:

--investment and enhancements to MDL offerings

--full, uninterrupted access to key scientific databases and 
relevant content currently accessible through MDL offerings 
including Elsevier's CrossFire Beilstein, Pharmapendium and 
Patent Chemistry Databases)

--significant enhancements in the ability to meld internal and 
external literature sources through ELNs as part of a fully 
integrated research and development technical documentation 
platform

--an extended comprehensive experimental planning, execution, and 
analysis platform

ideal strategic complement to our existing businesses, as our 
market leadership in Tools and Research Services will now be 
joined by expanded offerings in a substantially strengthened 
Symyx Software business. These complementary offerings address a 
growing market trend, as R&D methods across all industries are 
undergoing dramatic change. Scientists are increasingly 
recognizing the essential role that informatics, database and 
workflow solutions play in more effectively managing research 
programs and driving higher productivity. The acquisition of MDL 
will position Symyx as a global leader in providing these 
solutions, and we believe our value proposition to customers will 
be stronger as a result.

"The addition of MDL is also consistent with our ongoing efforts 
to drive enhanced shareholder value. On a pro forma basis in 
2008, we expect Symyx and MDL combined software and database 
operations to reach approximately $100 million in revenues, much 
of it recurring, and for this transaction to be accretive. More 
broadly, this transaction underscores our commitment to invest in 
those parts of the business which we believe will help us to 
build predictable, recurring revenue streams over time. With 
ongoing investments in sales and marketing and reinvigorated 
leadership, Symyx is well-positioned to maximize MDL's value to 
our customers and its strategic value to our Company."

The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 
2007 and is subject to customary closing conditions and 
documentation, including clearance under applicable antitrust 
laws. Thomas Weisel Partners LLC acted as exclusive financial 
advisor to Symyx and provided a fairness opinion to the Symyx 
Board of Directors.

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