EXHIBIT 99.1

                        [INTERLEUKIN GENETICS LETTERHEAD]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 INTERLEUKIN GENETICS ANNOUNCES RESTRUCTURING OF
                       AGREEMENT WITH SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY

SAN ANTONIO, TX OCTOBER 8, 1999 Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ Small Cap:
ILGN) announced today that it has entered into a new arrangement with the
University of Sheffield, U.K., replacing the research and development agreement
that has been in place since 1996. Under the terms of the new relationship,
Sheffield University received equity in Interleukin Genetics in exchange for
dedicating resources to the joint venture discovery program in the genetics and
control of inflammatory diseases. Under the prior agreement the University
received a portion of the net profits which Interleukin Genetics earned as a
result of the commercialization of the discoveries from the alliance. The terms
of the new partnership (which has a term of five years) apply to discoveries
that have already been patented, as well as to future discoveries.

On September 30, 1999, the Company issued 475,000 shares of common stock to
Sheffield and its investigators in connection with the new arrangement. Every
year ILGN will issue stock options to Sheffield and its investigators for each
new ILGN patent application based on Sheffield's research.

This relationship with Sheffield enables Interleukin Genetics to commercialize
Sheffield's genetic discoveries relating to the regulation and genetics of
inflammation without incurring the expenses associated with a research program
of Sheffield's magnitude. Sheffield's genetic research team is headed by
Professor Gordon Duff, Ph.D., a world leader in the field of genetics relating
to the body's inflammatory response. Sheffield's Division of Molecular and
Genetic Medicine has a team of over


60 PhDs and MDs conducting research in the genetics and functional biology of
proteins, such as interleukins, that are involved in many of the common diseases
of our aging population. Many of Interleukin Genetics' patents cover these
genetic factors, which influence both the incidence and the rate of progression
of disease.

Dr. Kenneth Kornman, President and Chief Scientific Officer for Interleukin
Genetics, stated, "We are extremely pleased with the new arrangement with
Sheffield University. This new agreement assures us of continued access to
Sheffield's research, and further indicates Sheffield's confidence in our
ability to successfully commercialize these important findings. We are very
pleased to continue to be associated with Professor Gordon Duff and the other
outstanding members of the research team."

Interleukin Genetics discovers, develops, and commercializes diagnostic tests
and therapeutics based on genetic factors that regulate control points in the
inflammatory processes. ILGN is developing genetic susceptibility tests for
osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, complications of diabetes, asthma,
pulmonary fibrosis, and meningitis/sepsis. PST(R), a test predictive of risk for
periodontal disease, is currently available in the U.S. and most of Europe. ILGN
also develops and licenses bioinformatics tools, such as BioFusion(R), to
pharmaceutical companies for use in drug discovery and development.

PST(R) is a registered service mark of Interleukin Genetics, Inc.
BioFusion(R)is a registered trademark of Interleukin Genetics, Inc.
Additional information can be found on Interleukin Genetics' website at
WWW.ILGENETICS.COM.

CERTAIN STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE "FORWARD-LOOKING" STATEMENTS (AS SUCH
TERM IS DEFINED IN THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995).
BECAUSE SUCH STATEMENTS INCLUDE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY
DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS. FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM
THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE
NOT LIMITED TO, RISK OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE OF COMPANY PRODUCTS, RISK OF
TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS OBSOLESCENCE, DELAYS IN DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS,
RELIANCE ON PARTNERS, COMPETITIVE RISKS AND THOSE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
DESCRIBED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM S-3 FILED JULY 23, 1999, AS AMENDED (COMMISSION
FILE #333-83631), AND THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND IN OTHER FILINGS MADE BY THE COMPANY WITH
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY DISCLAIMS ANY OBLIGATION TO
UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.