CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Nasdaq: ISIP) announced today that it will change its trading symbol from "ISIP" to "ISIS". The symbol change will become effective on Thursday, February 21, 2002. Isis will continue to trade on the NASDAQ.

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is exploiting its expertise in RNA to discover and develop novel human therapeutic drugs. The company has commercialized its first product, Vitravene® (fomivirsen), to treat CMV-induced retinitis in AIDS patients. In addition, Isis has 12 products in its development pipeline, with two in late-stage development and six in Phase II human clinical trials. LY900003 (ISIS 3521), an inhibitor of PKC-alpha, is in Phase III trials for non-small cell lung cancer, and alicaforsen (ISIS 2302), an ICAM-1 inhibitor, is in Phase III human clinical trials for Crohn's disease. Isis has a broad patent estate, as the owner or exclusive licensee of nearly 900 issued patents worldwide. Isis' GeneTrove™ division uses antisense to assist pharmaceutical industry partners in validating and prioritizing potential gene targets through customized services and access to an extensive gene function database. Ibis Therapeutics™ is a division focused on the discovery of small molecule drugs that bind to RNA.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics and financing such activities. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in this release. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Isis' research and development programs are described in additional detail in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10Q, for the period ended September 30, 2001, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available from the company.

Vitravene® (fomivirsen) is a trademark of Novartis AG.

GeneTrove™ and Ibis Therapeutics™ are trademarks of Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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SOURCE Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Web site: http: //www.isip.com
CONTACT: Kristina Peterson of Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-760-603-2521