ST. LOUIS (April 14, 2009) - Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center, which will open in June 2009 the first of three buildings for plant and life sciences research companies, announced that Divergence, Inc. will be one of the largest tenants.

Designed to help fledgling companies "bridge" research, resources and relationships to achieve commercial success, the BRDG-Park development ultimately will encompass about 400,000 square feet of space on the Danforth Center campus in suburban St. Louis County.  "In a very tough real estate and economic marketplace, BRDG Park stands out for already leasing over 60 percent of its first building prior to opening," said Sam Fiorello, President of BRDG Park.

A world leader in developing products for the control of parasites in agriculture and medicine, Divergence has signed a lease for 11,000 sq. ft. in the first 110,000 sq. ft., four-story facility.  Divergence, whose research breakthroughs show strong promise of developing a safe, effective solution for farmers to combat parasites that reduce the yields of many crops, graduated last year from the Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise, a business incubator, where it occupied 4,500 sq. ft. of space.

According to Derek Rapp, Chief Executive Officer of Divergence, in addition to state-of-the-art wet lab and office space, BRDG Park's location on the Danforth Plant Science Center's campus and across the street from Monsanto's world headquarters was a determining factor.  The location will provide Divergence's scientists convenient access to the most technologically advanced greenhouse, growth chamber, microscopy, proteomics and tissue transfer facilities.  It also will facilitate numerous ongoing opportunities to interact with top scientists from around the world, including those who work at the Danforth Center and those attending seminars and symposia.

"With a company culture that encourages close interaction among our team of approximately 25 scientists, we also wanted a space that would provide maximum efficiency and comfort with private offices near benches, benches with desks located close to windows, and flexible areas for meetings and a break room," said Rapp.  "BRDG Park took the time to focus on the details that are important to us and figure out the most cost-effective solutions to achieve our goals."

"Because St. Louis is a leading center for plant sciences, we were able to compare locations before deciding that BRDG Park offered the most advantages," said Rapp.  Divergence's move to BRDG Park comes shortly after its recent announcement that it has raised $11.8 million in a Series C financing round, more than doubling the amount of equity capital raised by the company since its inception in 1999.

About Divergence

Divergence, Inc., a world leader in the application of genomics and informatics to agriculture and infectious disease, discovers and develops products for the safe and effective control of parasites. The company's initial focus is on parasitic nematodes, devastating unseen pests that cause billions of dollars in crop loss annually and widespread disease in humans and animals. For more information visit Divergence's Web site at www.divergence.com.

About BRDG Park at the Danforth Center

Located in suburban St. Louis County, Missouri, widely regarded as a global leader in plant and life science research, the Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center helps fledgling plant and life science companies bridge research, resources and relationships to achieve commercial success.  In addition to providing world-class wet laboratories, office space and a prominent incubator, BRDG Park's location on the Danforth Center's campus facilitates access to the intellectual capital of top scientists, as well as to technologically advanced greenhouse, growth chambers, microscopy and proteomics facilities and other vital resources. More information is available at www.BRDG-Park.com.