Octagon One of Only Two Rising Stars in Delaware Valley

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA - October 09, 2003 - Octagon Research Solutions, a leading provider of regulatory, clinical information management, process and information technology products and services to the life science industry, is one of only two companies to be recognized as a Rising Star in Deloitte & Touche's Technology Fast 50 program for Delaware Valley.

The Rising Star award designates fast-growth technology companies that have been in business three or four years and are part of the Delaware Valley Technology Fast 50 program, which ranks the 50 fastest growing technology companies headquartered in Delaware Valley. Rankings are based on the percentage of growth in fiscal year revenues from 2000 to 2002.

Rising Star winners are automatically entered in the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 program's Rising Star category. The Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 program ranks North America's top 500 fastest growing technology companies based on revenue growth over five years (1998-2002). Its Rising Star ranking is based on revenue growth over three years (2000-2002).

Octagon Research Solutions provides regulatory, clinical information management, process and information technology products and services to the life sciences industry, helping pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies streamline the clinical R&D process. The Company offers a seamless, fully integrated electronic approach that manages information from the beginning of a clinical trial to the submission of data to health authorities.

"The two Deloitte & Touche Delaware Valley Technology Fast 50 Rising Star companies have shown the strength, vision and temerity to succeed despite a very challenging technology environment,” said Michael J. Purcell, partner-in-charge of Deloitte & Touche's Delaware Valley Technology Fast 50. "We applaud the successes of Octagon Research Solutions and acknowledge its place as one of the few to accomplish such growth during these three years.”

"We are honored to be recognized as a Technology Fast 50 Rising Star by Deloitte & Touche,” said James C. Walker, President and CEO of Octagon Research Solutions. "Our inclusion speaks volumes of the hard work and dedication of our team and our standing as a solid life sciences company based in the Delaware Valley.”

To qualify for the Technology Fast 50 Rising Star program, companies must have had operating revenues of at least $50,000 in 2000 and $1,000,000 in 2002, must be public or private companies headquartered in North America, and be a "technology company" defined as owning proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues (using other companies' technology in a unique way does not qualify); and/or devoting a significant proportion of revenues to research and development of technology.

For more information on the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 50 or Fast 500 programs, visit www.fast500.com.

About Octagon Research Solutions, Inc.

Octagon is a leading process-centric solutions provider that offers a suite of regulatory, clinical, process and IT solutions to the life sciences industry. Octagon synchronizes processes and increases automation to reduce island-to-island inefficiencies within the clinical research and development process. We leverage the power of electronic submissions through cross-functional eSub expertise, a holistic process approach, deep domain knowledge and creative use of technology. Octagon is headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, with an office in Boston, MA. For more information please visit www.octagonresearch.com.

About Deloitte & Touche

Deloitte & Touche, one of the nation's leading professional services firms, provides assurance and advisory, tax, and management consulting services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 80 U.S. cities. The firm is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, Deloitte & Touche had been recognized as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" by Fortune magazine for six consecutive years. Deloitte & Touche refers to Deloitte & Touche LLP and related entities. Deloitte & Touche is the US national practice of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity. For more information, please visit Deloitte & Touche's web site at www.deloitte.com/us.

About Deloitte & Touche Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Group

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