<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 JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN
SUCH REPORTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 23,263,888 0
<SECURITIES> 31,341,452 0
<RECEIVABLES> 469,423 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 55,993,913 0
<PP&E> 17,751,791 0
<DEPRECIATION> (3,184,145) 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 73,010,739 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 19,644,158 0
<BONDS> 6,986,280 0
0 0
<COMMON> 257,128 0
0 0
<OTHER-SE> 46,123,173 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 73,010,739 0
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,289,092 664,725
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 12,218,336 5,036,823
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 573,487 219,732
<INCOME-PRETAX> (9,550,346) (4,480,035)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (9,550,346) (4,480,035)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (9,550,346) (4,480,035)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.95) (1.18)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.95) (1.18)
</TABLE>