COPIAGUE, N.Y., March 9 -- American Biogenetic Sciences, Inc. (ABS) (Nasdaq: MABXA) has announced the appointment of Glenna M. Crooks, Ph.D. to the Company's Board of Directors. Dr. Crooks' distinguished career in pharmaceutical operations and policy with Merck & Co. as well as her governmental expertise brings a wealth of relevant experience to the ABS Board.

``Dr. Crooks brings a new dimension of experience to our Board, at a critical and exciting juncture for ABS,'' said John S. North, President and CEO. ``Having been responsible for business development decisions as a major player in the global pharmaceutical industry, Glenna's counsel will be invaluable as ABS engages in negotiations with licensing and commercialization partners.''

Dr. Crooks' pharmaceutical industry experience culminated with her appointment in 1994 as Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Operations for the Merck and Company Vaccines Division. In that capacity, she developed and managed a global organization responsible for strategic, marketing and tactical planning, business development and negotiations, joint venture management and product sales and marketing for all operations outside the U.S. In 1990, she was the recipient of the Merck Management Award for her development and implementation of the Merck Equal Access to Medicines Plan. In 1989 she received the highest award in public health, the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medallion by Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.

Prior to joining Merck, Dr. Crooks served from 1981 to 1985 as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health during the Reagan Administration. There, she was responsible for policy formulation, strategic and budget planning, legislation development, regulation and management of federal government health policy staff.

Dr. Crooks is the Founder and President of Strategic Health Policy International, Inc., a health care consulting and planning firm that advises governments, businesses and industry trade associations in the U.S. and overseas on the development and application of business strategy. She received an M.S. in Educational Psychology and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Indiana, and is currently authoring a book, entitled ``Broken Covenants: Healing Health Care Relationships.''

Expertise in Business Development

``Dr. Crooks is an ideal addition to the ABS team and we are extremely pleased to welcome a Director of her quality and accomplishment,'' said Alfred J. Roach, Chairman of the Board.

``I look forward eagerly to working with the ABS Board and management,'' said Dr. Crooks. ``ABS' diagnostic tests and neuroscience compounds represent an enviable portfolio of commercially viable products with features and benefits matched to the needs of today's and tomorrow's market. I am excited to be joining the company at this time.''

American Biogenetic Sciences, based in Copiague, New York, researches and develops diagnostic tests for cardiac conditions and infectious diseases, as well as new treatments for neurological disorders including epilepsy, migraine, mania, Parkinsons and Alzheimer's disease. ABS also seeks out new technologies and conducts research and development throughout its Global Scientific Network, in the U.S., Europe, Israel, Russia and China.

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical are ``forward-looking'' statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and should be considered as subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For further details and a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its annual report or Form 10-K.