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TWST: What is your competitive edge?

Dr. Haseltine: I believe that our principal competitive advantage is the correct conceptualization and realization of how genomics can be used to effectively create new drugs for the market. Our genomic programs continue to provide HGS (Nasdaq:HGSI) with an early lead in the discovery of human genes. Moreover, we have learned how to translate knowledge of new genes to knowledge of what such genes may be useful for the treatment and cure of disease. Additionally, our focus on human proteins and antibodies as drugs provides an additional competitive advantage. I also believe that HGS’ very large patent estate which describes newly discovered human genes and their medical uses, provides us with a long lasting competitive advantage. In a broader sense, I believe HGS’ long-term competitive advantage lies in the creation of a new productivity paradigm for our industry. Over time, relative productivity — dollars in, drugs out — will determine the success of a company. As I mentioned before, the pharmaceutical industry is in urgent need of a new productivity paradigm. I believe we have found one.

TWST: How have you achieved that?

Dr. Haseltine: We have achieved substantial increases in productivity in the early stage of drug discovery and development by systematic application of genomics and other technologies to the discovery of what genes are and what they do in the human body that may have medical use. Our focus on human proteins and antibodies as drugs contributes as well to increased productivity and efficiency in drug development.

TWST: Are there any opportunities for improvement within the company?

Dr. Haseltine: We are strengthening manufacturing and commercial development skills. In the future, we will develop skills to market and sell our drugs.

TWST: How did you let your current stock price build?

Dr. Haseltine: I don’t comment on stock price.

TWST: What specific achievements would lead you to characterize the next two to three years as successful for HGS?

Dr. Haseltine: We judge our success in terms of the progress of our clinical trials. We also judge our success by the number of new drugs we enter into human clinical trials.

TWST: Would you give us two or three solid reasons why long-term investors should buy stock in Human Genome Sciences today?

Dr. Haseltine: The company has experienced substantial change over the past year. We have gained the ability to discover, develop human antibodies and peptides as drugs by technology acquisition. We have gained the ability to create new and better drugs for existing markets by acquiring Principia. Human Genome Sciences has significantly more capital in the bank than it had in 1999.