<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE PARADIGM
GENETICS, INC. REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN
SUCH REPORTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 468,342
<SECURITIES> 3,488,108
<RECEIVABLES> 256,844
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 5,371,145
<PP&E> 10,704,783
<DEPRECIATION> (1,888,118)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 14,225,304
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 9,006,375
<BONDS> 8,046,630
0
11,918,718
<COMMON> 52,242
<OTHER-SE> (14,798,661)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 14,225,304
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,196,975
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 12,441,053
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 622,678
<INCOME-PRETAX> (10,619,860)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (10,619,860)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (10,619,860)
<EPS-BASIC> (2.51)
<EPS-DILUTED> (2.51)
</TABLE>