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diaDexus, Inc. and Living Heart Foundation Offer The PLAC® Test to Detect Hidden Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke in Retired NFL Players

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., September 28, 2008 — diaDexus, Inc. today announced its partnership with the Living Heart Foundation (LHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating cardiovascular disease in current and retired NFL Players. The PLAC® Test will be included as part of the LHF’s cardiovascular risk assessment and disease prevention program designed to identify individuals at elevated risk for suffering a heart attack or stroke.

The PLAC Test is the only blood test cleared by the FDA to aid in assessing risk for both coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke associated with atherosclerosis. The PLAC Test measures lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a vascular-specific inflammatory enzyme implicated in the formation of rupture-prone plaque. It is plaque rupture and thrombosis, not stenosis that cause the majority of cardiac events. Clinical research demonstrates that early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease improves the likelihood of preventing these events.

“Traditional risk factors fail to identify many people at risk for developing cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Archie Roberts, founder of the Living Heart Foundation and a former NFL Quarterback. “We are pleased to offer the PLAC Test which provides new information, beyond traditional risk factors, to help identify those individuals with an increased chance of suffering from a cardiovascular event, allowing them to take the necessary steps to improve not only their health, but also their chance of survival.”

Dr. Roberts created the LHF to encourage athletes to educate themselves on the importance of early detection and aggressive management of cardiovascular disease through free health clinics and events. The cardiovascular risk assessment and disease prevention programs held around the country will also contribute to research conducted by the LHF exploring the relationship between professional football players and cardiovascular disease.

“I’m thankful the LHF has incorporated the PLAC Test into their health program, as it was an eye opener for my overall health,” said David O’Brien, former NFL player for the for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals. “I never had heart problems, and my cholesterol was under control so I assumed I was not at risk for a heart attack or stroke. The PLAC Test identified my hidden risk for these events and enabled my doctors to prescribe an aggressive treatment program to lower my risk.”

diaDexus is donating the PLAC Test kits for the LHF cardiovascular risk assessment and disease prevention program.

About diaDexus
diaDexus, Inc., a privately held diagnostics company based in South San Francisco, is focused on the development and commercialization of patent-protected in vitro diagnostic products addressing unmet needs in cardiovascular disease. For more information, visit www.plactest.com or www.diaDexus.com.

About the Living Heart Foundation (LHF)
Living Heart Foundation (LHF) is a 501 (c) (3) entity with a national network of hospitals and physicians that unite to fight cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Foundation emphasizes CVD awareness, education, objective testing, early diagnosis and credible research. The 5 year old ongoing NFL retired player screening/study has a database of over 1,400 former players.

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