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Advanced Renal Technologies and Genpharm Sign Letter of Intent

June 3, 2003

(Seattle) Advanced Renal Technologies (ART), a Bellevue, Wash.-based medical device company and Genpharm Inc., a Toronto, Canada-based affiliate of Merck, announced today that the two companies have signed a letter of intent concerning rights to manufacture, distribute and sell ART’s Citrasate® liquid dialysate concentrate and DRYalysate® dry powder dialysate concentrate in Canada. Both products are used in kidney dialysis. Specific terms of the letter were not disclosed. The companies have 90 days to negotiate and sign a definitive agreement.

Denis Carrier, director of Genpharm Renal Care, said, “Genpharm views the combination of ART’s unique and highly differentiated citrate dialysate products and Genpharm’s existing line of dialysis products as a compelling opportunity to improve patient care and reduce dialysis costs in Canada.”

Mike Fulton, managing director of ART, said, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to construct a partnership with Genpharm in Canada just as we have done with partners in other parts of the world. ART is the leader in dialysate technology and is eager to work with a high-quality company such as Genpharm.”

Genpharm Inc., an affiliate of the Merck Generics Group, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA in Germany, is engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high quality, cost effective prescription medicines throughout the world. More information about Genpharm Inc. may be found at www.genpharm.ca, or by contacting Denis Carrier at 416-567-8881.

Advanced Renal Technologies (ART), is a privately held company focused on the development of products to improve the treatment of patients with acute and chronic kidney failure in hospital, home and outpatient dialysis facilities. More information about ART may be found at www.advrenaltech.com or by contacting Mike Fulton at 425-453-8777.