<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY 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 REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 MAR-31-1999
<CASH> 883,198 0
<SECURITIES> 20,842,964 0
<RECEIVABLES> 222,184 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 23,008,024 0
<PP&E> 13,708,621 0
<DEPRECIATION> (2,466,947) 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 35,632,493 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 19,884,629 0
<BONDS> 7,524,863 0
0 0
38,883,910 0
<COMMON> 55,590 0
<OTHER-SE> (30,716,499) 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 35,632,493 0
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 593,221 332,363
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 5,386,612 2,323,823
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 279,875 89,392
<INCOME-PRETAX> (4,776,273) (2,040,557)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,776,273) (2,040,557)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 0 0
<EPS-BASIC> (.89) (.54)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.89) (.54)
</TABLE>