EXHIBIT 99.1
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Contacts:
Orchid BioSciences, Inc.
(609) 750-2200
Donald R. Marvin
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Barbara L. Lindheim
Vice President, Strategic Communications


                     ORCHID ADOPTS STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

PRINCETON, N.J., MAY 22, 2001 - Orchid BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORCH) today
announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan that
is designed to strengthen the ability of the Board of Directors to protect
Orchid's stockholders.  The Rights Plan was not adopted in response to any known
offer or takeover attempt.

Under the Rights Plan, stockholders will receive one right to purchase a
fractional share of a new series of Orchid preferred stock for each share of
Orchid Common Stock held of record at the close of business on May 31, 2001. The
rights will be issued as a non-taxable dividend and will expire 10 years from
the date of the adoption of the Rights Plan, unless earlier redeemed or
exchanged. The rights will be exercisable only if a person or group acquires 15
percent or more of Orchid's Common Stock. If a person or group acquires 15
percent or more of Orchid's Common Stock, then all rights holders except the
acquirer will be entitled to acquire Orchid Common Stock at a significant
discount. The effect will be to discourage acquisitions of 15 percent or more of
Orchid's Common Stock without negotiation with the Board.

A copy of the Rights Plan will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and details of the Rights Plan will be outlined in a summary that
will be mailed to all Orchid stockholders.

The Rights Plan is designed to protect Orchid stockholders against abusive or
coercive takeover tactics and to enable all Orchid stockholders to realize the
full and fair value of their investment in the event that an unsolicited attempt
is made to acquire Orchid.  The adoption of the Rights Plan is not intended to
prevent an offer that the Board concludes is in the best interests of Orchid and
its stockholders.

Orchid BioSciences, Inc. is a leading provider of products, services and
technologies for SNP scoring and genetic diversity analyses.  Orchid has
developed SNP-IT(TM), its proprietary SNP analysis technology and markets
SNPstream instruments and SNPware(TM) consumables that rapidly generate highly
accurate, cost effective SNP information.  SNP-IT is usable in environments
ranging from small-scale laboratories to large commercial facilities.  Its
versatility also has enabled Orchid to partner with industry leaders to make
SNP-IT-enabled products available on a wide variety of instrument platforms.
Orchid provides high throughput SNP scoring services to pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and academic customers through its MegaSNPatron(TM) facilities,
and DNA testing through its GeneScreen and Cellmark facilities that conduct


paternity and forensics testing, as well as clinical quality genotyping. Orchid
also provides content-rich SNP databases and SNP panels to its customers and
collaborators.  Through its Pharmaceutical Value Creation(TM) business, Orchid
also seeks to identify proprietary medical applications of SNPs. More
information on Orchid can be found at its web site www.orchid.com
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All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act as
amended, including statements regarding its All statements in this press release
that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act as amended, including statements
regarding its desire to identify proprietary medical applications of SNPs.  Such
statements are based on management's current expectations and are implied by
forward-looking statements. These risks and other additional factors affecting
the Company's business are discussed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2000, filed with  the Securities and Exchange Commission
on April 2, 2001. Orchid expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to
release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect any change in Orchid's expectations with regard
thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such
statements are based.

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