SAN LEANDRO, California and LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY—December 3, 2003—BASF, the world's leading chemical company, has adopted a comprehensive package of next-generation discovery informatics technology and software applications from MDL Information Systems, Inc. (MDL), part of Elsevier Life Sciences. The software and new MDL® Isentris™ technology will power the global research activities of BASF and provide a flexible, state-of-the-art system for managing chemical information and research data throughout the organization.

The Isentris technology—MDL's new architecture platform, an open, scalable, flexible, and highly customizable environment—will allow BASF to integrate in-house and third-party applications and content, providing scientists with easy-to-use, comprehensive research solutions that are tailored to their workflows.

"Our selection of MDL has benefited scientists throughout our research and development operations over the years," said Dr. Schoch-Grübler, senior vice president, BASF Group Information Center. "The new MDL Isentris technology gives us the power to shape our information management tools in a fashion that supports the long-term goals of developing and continually improving our product offerings."

"MDL is proud to be the discovery informatics partner to the world's biggest chemical company," said Lars Barfod, executive vice president and chief business officer of Elsevier Life Sciences. "We're confident that the new Isentris architecture—which will soon power all of MDL's core applications—provides BASF the optimum environment for managing research data, both now and in the future."

The agreement includes MDL® Core Interface, a middle-tier server that integrates key services for managing discovery data; MDL® Draw, a first-of-a-kind chemical drawing application that allows researchers to draw and edit chemical compounds; and MDL® Direct, data cartridge technology for searching molecules and reactions stored directly in Oracle® databases. The technology will enable BASF to manage fully relational structure databases while integrating corporate data in an open Oracle environment.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Elsevier, Inc., MDL is part of Elsevier Life Sciences. Over 1,000 life science companies supercharge their discovery engines with MDL software solutions to generate fresh ideas and make breakthrough discoveries. By synchronizing and streamlining the sharing and management of vital information and knowledge, MDL enables scientists to work more efficiently and invent drugs faster. MDL is headquartered in San Leandro, CA with offices worldwide.

Elsevier Life Sciences combines Elsevier's wide array of life science content products with MDL's extensive informatics, database, workflow, and decision support solutions. This unique combination enables Elsevier Life Sciences to bring unparalleled solutions to researchers, significantly advancing the efficient, cost-effective development of new medicines. Elsevier is a member of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider (ticker symbols: REN [Euronext Amsterdam], REL [London Stock Exchange], RUK and ENL [New York Stock Exchange]). For more information, visit www.elsevier.com and www.reedelsevier.com.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company, offering its customers a range of high-performance products, including chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as crude oil and natural gas. Its distinctive approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is its strength. It enables BASF to achieve cost leadership and gives the company a competitive advantage. BASF conducts its business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2002, BASF had sales of about €32 billion (circa $34 billion) and over 89,000 employees worldwide. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.