CombiMatrix Updates Influenza-Detection System For Swine Flu

MUKILTEO, Wash., April 29, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CombiMatrix Corporation
(Nasdaq:CBMX) announced today that it has updated its Influenza-Detection
Microarray to include sequence information of the latest strain of Swine Flu.
The previous version of the Influenza-Detection Microarray already detected many
strains of Swine Flu as well as the pathogenic Bird Flu. Today, within one day
of receiving sequence information of the new strain, CombiMatrix has updated the
array to definitively identify this strain.

On Sunday, April 26, 2009, the United States declared a public health emergency
because of the spread and virulence of the latest strain of Swine Flu. According
to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of Tuesday,
April 28th, there were 64 confirmed cases of Swine Flu infection in the U.S.
Various other countries are also reporting cases of Swine Flu infection. For
example, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of Swine
Flu infections has been rising in Mexico and, as of April 23rd, there were more
than 854 cases of pneumonia in Mexico City attributed to influenza-like
infections of which 59 have resulted in fatalities. Because this virus has an
origin in animals, it is spreading rapidly, and is affecting and resulting in
fatalities among young, previously healthy people. As a result, the WHO feels
that there is significant cause for concern. In response, CombiMatrix has
contacted the Secretariat of Health in Mexico.

CombiMatrix's Influenza-Detection System provides very-high-resolution genotype
information on any given flu strain, as well as information on novel strains of
flu produced by rapid mutation or recombination between multiple strains. The
current Swine Flu is a novel strain of influenza A, subtype H1N1. Other strains
of influenza A include pathogenic Bird Flu (H5N1); the 1918 influenza pandemic
(H1N1), which killed an estimated 50 million people; the 1968 Hong Kong Flu
(H3N2), which caused a pandemic; and the 1976 Swine Flu (H1N1). CombiMatrix's
Influenza Microarray can detect and distinguish each of these strains, as well
as all other circulating subtypes and strains of Influenza A. Most importantly,
as demonstrated by today's news, the array can be updated almost
instantaneously. Several domestic and international government agencies have
purchased CombiMatrix's system and can use the Influenza Microarray. CombiMatrix
is already preparing arrays to be sent to such agencies for use.

"This past Sunday, the U.S. declared a public health emergency. Today,
CombiMatrix has updated arrays in response. Rapid response and accurate
information are the absolute key criteria when dealing with viruses such as
influenza," said Dr. Amit Kumar, President and CEO of CombiMatrix.
"CombiMatrix's platform is ideal for the rapid development of new tools to
rapidly identify emerging diseases. In this case, we have again demonstrated the
strength of our technology in taking the most up-to-date genetic information and
incorporating it into an array that can be used for research, disease
surveillance, and diagnostics."

ABOUT COMBIMATRIX CORPORATION

CombiMatrix Corporation is a diversified biotechnology business that develops
proprietary technologies, including products and services in the areas of drug
development, genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, nanotechnology and defense
and homeland security markets, as well as in other potential markets where our
products and services could be utilized. The technologies we have developed
include a platform technology to rapidly produce user-defined, in-situ
synthesized, oligonucleotide arrays for use in identifying and determining the
roles of genes, gene mutations and proteins. This technology has a wide range of
potential applications in the areas of genomics, proteomics, biosensors, drug
discovery, drug development, diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry, material
sciences and nanotechnology. Other technologies include proprietary molecular
synthesis and screening methods for the discovery of potential new drugs.
Combimatrix Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. ("CMDX"), our wholly owned subsidiary
located in Irvine, California, has developed capabilities of producing arrays
that utilize bacterial artificial chromosomes, which also enable genetic
analysis. CMDX functions primarily as a diagnostics reference laboratory.

Additional information about CombiMatrix Corporation is available at
www.combimatrix.com or by calling 1-800-985 CBMX (2269). Additional information
about CMDX is available at www.cmdiagnostics.com or by calling 1-800-710-0624.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
"safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as
of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from
those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors
and uncertainties, including the recent economic slowdown affecting technology
companies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological
change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative,
regulatory, and competitive developments, and general economic conditions. Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, and other SEC filings
discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results
of operations, and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or
update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

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CONTACT: Lazar Partners
Media Contact:
Mark Sahl
(646) 871-8485
msahl@lazarpartners.com

CombiMatrix Corporation
Investor Relations Contact:
Amit Kumar, Ph.D., President & CEO
(425) 493-2000
Fax (425) 493-2010