Dr. Hayden Was Awarded the Prix Galien Canada (Research) Award in 2007 -- He Has Co-Founded Three Companies: Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Neurovir -- He Is Director of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BC -- (Marketwire) -- 10/01/08 -- Upstream Biosciences Inc. (OTCBB: UPBS) today announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Hayden, MD, PhD, FRCPC to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Hayden has co-founded three companies: Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Neurovir. He is currently serving as chief scientific officer for Xenon and chairman of the medical advisory board for Aspreva. Aspreva focuses on repurposing existing drugs to treat rare diseases and was purchased in a deal worth approximately $915 million US by the Galenica Group. Dr. Hayden is a full professor of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia as well as Director of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) in Vancouver; the CMMT is a gene research center under UBC's Faculty of Medicine.

Author of over 400 peer-reviewed publications and invited submissions, Dr. Hayden focuses his research primarily on genetic diseases, including genetics of lipoprotein disorders, Huntington's disease and predictive medicine. In association with his colleagues, Dr. Hayden developed the proposal which led to the award of the Canadian Centers of Excellence on the genetic basis of disease. This effort has been furthered by his involvement in the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network; Dr. Hayden has served as the Network's Scientific Director since its inception in 1990.

Dr. Hayden has pioneered the development of predictive testing for Huntington's disease, an incurable condition that affects approximately one in 10,000 people. He has made major contributions to determine how specific genes lead to Huntington's, premature coronary artery disease and diabetes. In 2007, he provided the first evidence of prevalence of Huntington's disease in laboratory mice.

"Dr. Hayden has a proven track record of turning groundbreaking science into commercial success. We are extremely excited that Upstream will have the opportunity to leverage his vast scientific and business experience," said Joel L. Bellenson, Chief Executive Officer of Upstream. Dr. Hayden has pursued endeavours that focus on finding new treatments for unmet needs.

The recipient of numerous prestigious honors and awards, Dr. Hayden was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation in 1992, to the Board of the American Society of Human Genetics in 1994 and to the Royal Society of Canada in 1995. Among his most recent awards are the 1998 Distinguished Scientist Award of the Canadian Society of Clinical Investigation, the 2000 BC Biotechnology Alliance Award for Vision and Leadership and in 2001, Dr.