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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


         CONTACT:   Matthew D. Haines
                    Director, Corporate Communications
                    (516) 222-0023
                    E-mail:  mhaines@oncogene.com

                ONCOGENE SCIENCE APPOINTS DARYL K. GRANNER, M.D.
                              TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK, September 18, 1996 -- Oncogene Science, Inc. (NASDAQ:ONCS)
announced today that Daryl K. Granner, M.D., has been appointed to the Company's
Board of Directors. Dr. Granner is currently Professor and Chairman of the
Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, Tennessee. He replaces Walter M. Miller, who recently resigned from
Oncogene Science's 10-member Board of Directors.

Dr. Granner, age 59, is a noted expert and has published extensively in the
areas of gene transcription and diabetes. He is currently Director of the
Molecular Endocrinology Training Program, Director of the Diabetes Research and
Training Center, and Interim Director of the Division of Diabetes, Department of
Medicine, Vanderbilt University. Since 1992, he has served as a consultant to
Oncogene Science.

"We are very pleased to have Dr. Granner join the Company's Board of Directors,"
stated Gary E. Frashier, Chief Executive Officer of Oncogene Science. "His
experience and expertise will be invaluable as the Company pursues its strategic
goals and drug development programs. We also wish to express our thanks to
Walter Miller for his years of dedicated service," he concluded.

Oncogene Science is a biopharmaceutical company utilizing proprietary technology
to discover and develop drugs for the treatment of human diseases associated
with abnormalities of cellular control, including cancer, virology, diabetes and
atherosclerosis.

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NOTE:    Additional information on Oncogene Science is available on the internet
         at http://www.oncogene.com.