Wednesday 30 July 2008

Protein'eXpert — Company Profile

Protein’eXpert — PX Pharma
Zone Minatec Entreprises
7 Parvis Louis Néel – BP50
38040 Grenoble
France

Tel.: +33 (0)4 38 02 36 50
Fax: +33 (0)4 76 96 10 38
Email: marketing@proteinexpert.com
Website: http://www.proteinexpert.com/







Based in Grenoble, France, Protein’eXpert is a Contract Research Organisation devoted to recombinant protein engineering & production for biomedical research applications.

We offer custom-designed services focusing on the discovery, optimization and production of valuable target or therapeutic proteins.






Since 2004, Protein’eXpert has extended its offering to the biomanufacturing of therapeutic protein products for early clinical trials via its integrated subsidiary PX’Pharma. PX’Pharma provides dedicated contract services for process development & scale-up optimization, pre-clinical and clinical cGMP production.


Funded in 2000 in Grenoble, France, Protein’eXpert is an expanding Contract Research & Manufacturing Organisation devoted to recombinant protein engineering & production.
Our 30-staff company offers custom designed services focusing on the discovery, optimization and production of valuable target or therapeutic proteins.

Since 2004, Protein’eXpert has extended its offering to the biomanufacturing of therapeutic protein products for early clinical trials via its integrated subsidiary PX’Pharma. PX’Pharma provides dedicated contract services for process development & scale-up optimization, preclinical and clinical cGMP production. The combination of Protein’eXpert and PX’Pharma know-how and manufacturing capacities allows ensuring a seamless transfer from therapeutic protein development up to clinical production stages.

Over the five past years, we have demonstrated our capability to tackle highly complex and recalcitrant protein projects and take them to production stages. We have indeed been working on more than 150 protein related projects, gathering expertise on various target and therapeutic proteins and building up effective technologies as well as superior management skills.


Source: Protein’eXpert
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Tuesday 29 July 2008

Elicityl S.A. — Company Profile

Elicityl SA
746, avenue Ambroise Croizat
38920 Crolles
FRANCE

Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 40 71 61
Fax: +33 (0)76 45 49 50
Email: contact@elicityl.fr
Website: http://www.elicityl.fr/

Based near Grenoble, France, ELICITYL is a biotech company devoted to complex sugar engineering and production.

The company mission is to supply oligosaccharides and polysaccharides for biological applications targeting plant health, pharmacy, nutraceutics and cosmetics.

ELICITYL has two commercial offers:

  • OligoTech®: a bank of tailor-made complex sugars


  • -Extracted from biomass
    -Produced by bacterial fermentation
    -Potentially modified thru chemical functionalization

    The OligoTech® offer gives business opportunities using the untapped variety of complex sugars in compliance with all regulation appliance.

  • Complex sugars for Plant health: ELICITYL commercialises PEL101GV®, a complex sugar extracted from biomass enhancing the natural vine resistance to spring frosts.


  • ELICITYL has an extensive skill in complex sugar manufacturing and valorisation. In particular, the OligoTech® offer is based on the know-how in extraction, purification and fine characterization of complex sugars and on unique industrial production means owned and controlled by ELICITYL. Elicityl’s supplying capabilities include sampling lines to scaled-up industrial processes enabling the delivery from the g to multi kg scale.

    ELICITYL coordinates an industrial consortium program to create a bank of complex sugar with screening on antiviral activity (hepatitis C, influenza and dengue viruses). This R&D project (CARBINFEC) is supported by the world competitive cluster, Lyonbiopôle focused on infectious diseases.



    Other information:

    Elicityl - SA à conseil de surveillance.
    n° Siret: 442 055 893. Code APE: 731Z.
    Intra-communautaire: FR 844 420 558 930 0022




    Source: Elicityl
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    Latoxan S.A.S — Company Profile

    Latoxan
    20, rue Léon Blum
    26000 Valence
    France

    Tel.: +33 (0)4 75 41 91 91
    Fax: +33 (0)4 75 41 91 99
    Email: contact@latoxan.com
    Website: http://www.latoxan.com/

    Based on a long-standing experience in zoology, LATOXAN is a fully independent company dedicated to the production and sales of high quality venoms and toxins.

    Founded in 1982, LATOXAN is now a leading supplier in this field, selling to pharmaceutical companies, medical research laboratories and drug discovery units throughout the world.

    Venoms are produced under strictly controlled conditions from animals we have collected in all parts of the world, or which were born and reared in our breeding facilities.

    Purified toxins, plant compounds and other similar pharmacological tools are produced in cooperation with leading research institutions. They are supplied with technical information reporting on purity and biological activity assays.

    Our commitment to quality and consistency is the best guarantee to reproducible research results, as confirmed by regular audits from several major pharmaceutical manufacturers.


    Source: Latoxan
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    Monday 28 July 2008

    Haupt Pharma Livron S.A.S. — Company Profile

    Haupt Pharma Livron S.A.S.
    1, rue Comte de Sinard
    26250 Livron-sur-Drôme
    France

    Tel.: +33 (0)4 75 61 02 00
    Fax: +33 (0)4 75 61 02 10
    Website: http://www.haupt-pharma.de/haupt-pharma-livron-france.html?&L=1

    The first foreign production site of Haupt Pharma AG in the French city of Livron offers a completely renovated production facility and state-of-the-art equipment according to the high standards of Haupt. Complete responsibility for the demanding French market was taken on with the support of the other subsidiaries of HAUPT Pharma.

    173 employees produce the following dosage forms:
    • sterile products (ampoules)
    • hard capsules
    • suppositories

    Other information:

    Commercial Register RCS Romans 407.710.268
    VAT Identification Number: FR 04407710268

    Managing Director: Marcel Grimoud






    Source: Haupt Pharma
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    Wednesday 23 July 2008

    Ipsen continues the acquisition process of Tercica so as to establish its global presence in endocrinology

    • Subscription of additional shares of Tercica
    • Conversion of its notes
    • Exercise of its warrant
    • Ipsen now holds 42.6% of Tercica


    Paris (France), 23 July 2008 — Ipsen (Euronext: FR0010259150; IPN) announced today that on 22 July 2008 it subscribed for additional shares of common stock of Tercica Inc. (NASDAQ:TRCA) and exercised in full the warrant issued by Tercica in October 2006, and converted in full the convertible notes, issued by Tercica in October 2006 and September 2007.

    In connection with Tercica's issuance of 590,580 shares of its common stock to Genentech, Inc. on 11 July 2008, pursuant to a Common Stock Purchase Agreement between Tercica and Genentech, Inc. dated 6 July 2007, Tercica issued 410,831 shares of its common stock to Ipsen pursuant to the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement entered into between Tercica and Ipsen for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $3.66 million, at a price per share of $8.92 (being the consolidated closing bid price of Tercica’s common stock on 21 July 2008, as reported on NASDAQ).

    Moreover, as previously announced on 6 June 2008, on 22 July 2008 Ipsen exercised its outstanding Tercica warrant, in full, resulting in the issuance of 4,948,795 shares of Tercica common stock, at a price per share of $7.41, for an aggregate cash exercise price of approximately $36.67 million. On 22 July 2008, Ipsen also converted its outstanding Tercica convertible notes, in full, resulting in an issuance of 10,774,806 shares of Tercica common stock.

    As a result of the exercise of the Tercica warrant, conversion of the Tercica convertible notes and Ipsen's subscription for additional shares, the Ipsen Group now owns approximately 42.6% of the outstanding Tercica common stock assuming no further exercise of stock options.

    According to Jean-Luc Bélingard, Chairman and CEO of the Ipsen Group, "Within the context of Ipsen’s strategic development in North America, which has the objective of accelerating sales growth from 2009 onwards, these transactions constitute a new milestone in the acquisition process of Tercica".

    Important Information

    Regulatory and administrative steps are in progress. In connection with the merger transaction, Tercica has filed a preliminary proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in due course will mail the definitive proxy statement to Tercica stockholders in connection with a special meeting of Tercica stockholders to seek approval for the merger transaction. The exact timing of completion of the merger transaction is dependent on the review and clearance of the proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, other necessary filings and approval by Tercica stockholders. Tercica stockholders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement in full when it becomes available because it will contain important information regarding the merger transaction. Copies of the definitive proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about Ipsen, its subsidiaries and Tercica, will be made available in due course, without charge, at the internet site of the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). The definitive proxy statement and such other documents may also be obtained for free from the Investors section of the Tercica’s internet site (www.tercica.com) or by directing a request to Tercica at: 2000 Sierra Point Parkway, Suite 400, Brisbane, CA 94005, Attention: Investors Relations.

    Participants in the Solicitation:

    Tercica, Ipsen and their respective directors, executive officers, affiliates and other person may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Ipsen’s directors and executive officers is available in Ipsen’s Registration Document filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers and available on its website www.ipsen.com. Information regarding Tercica's directors and executive officers is available in Tercica's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2008, and Tercica’s definitive proxy statement filed inconnection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 20, 2008. Information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement, the Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission when they become available. This press release and the related Agreement and Plan of Merger will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of U.S. securities laws.

    About Ipsen

    Ipsen is an innovation driven international specialty pharmaceutical group with over 20 products on the market and a total worldwide staff of nearly 4,000. The company’s development strategy is based on a combination of products in targeted therapeutic areas (oncology, endocrinology and neuromuscular disorders) which are growth drivers, and primary care products which contribute significantly to its research financing. The location of its four Research and Development centres (Paris, Boston, Barcelona, London) gives the Group a competitive edge in gaining access to leading university research teams and highly qualified personnel. More than 700 people in R&D are dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for patient care. This strategy is also supported by an active policy of partnerships. In 2007, Research and Development expenditure was about €185 million, in excess of 20% of consolidated sales, which amounted to €920.5 million while total revenues amounted to €993.8 million. Ipsen’s shares are traded on Segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150). Ipsen’s shares are eligible to the "Service de Regrave;glement Différé" ("SRD") and the Group is part of the SBF 120 index. For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at www.ipsen.com.

    Ipsen Forward-Looking Statements

    The forward-looking statements and targets contained herein are based on Ipsen's management's current views and assumptions. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. Moreover, the Research and Development process involves several stages at each of which there is a substantial risk that the Group will fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts in respect of a product in which it has invested significant sums. Thus, in order to develop a product which is viable from a commercial point of view, the Group must demonstrate, by means of pre-clinical and human clinical trials, that the molecules are effective and not dangerous to human beings. Therefore, the Group cannot be certain that favourable results obtained during pre-clinical trials will be confirmed subsequently during clinical trials, or that the results of clinical trials will be sufficient to demonstrate the safe and effective nature of the product concerned, or that the regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the data and the information provided by the Company. Ipsen expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward looking statements, targets or estimates contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. Ipsen's business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its information documents filed with the French Autorité des marchés financiers.


    Source: Ipsen
    [Read more!]

    Thursday 17 July 2008

    Ipsen completes purchase of all of OBI-1 assets from Octagen Corporation

    Paris (France), 17 July 2008 — Ipsen (Euronext: IPN) today announced that, following the announcement made on June 5, 2008 and the shareholder approval of Octagen Corporation, it has completed the purchase of all of the assets related to OBI-1. Ipsen paid accordingly to Octagen an upfront milestone of $10.5 million. Immediately following the effective transfer of all of the assets related to OBI-1, Ipsen will redeem its stake in Octagen.

    About OBI-1

    OBI-1 is a recombinant porcine Factor VIII. Since porcine FVIII (pFVIII) possesses low cross reactivity to anti-hFVIII antibodies, it is expected that OBI-1 can be used to stop bleeding in hemophilia patients with inhibitor using the same natural pathway as human Factor VIII for non inhibitor patients.

    Phase I and II clinical trials have been conducted with OBI-1 in the United States, Canada, South Africa and Russia. Promising results of a phase II study on OBI-1 were presented to the American Society of Hematology in December 2007 stating that "OBI-1 can be given as a short infusion. It was effective in controlling all bleeds which occurred in this study and was well tolerated."1 Additional studies are now planned to optimize dose range for OBI-1 and to confirm the long term safety and efficacy of OBI-1 in the treatment of bleeds in a larger cohort of individuals with congenital hemophilia A complicated by the presence of hFVIII inhibitors, and with acquired hemophilia A.
    1 "A Phase II Open-Label Study Evaluating Hemostatic Activity, Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Recombinant Porcine Factor VIII (rpFVIII, OBI-1) in Hemophilia A Patients with Inhibitors Directed Against Human FVIII (hFVIII)", Johnny Mahlangu et al., American Society of Hemophilia, December 2007
    About hemophilia A

    Congenital hemophilia A is a genetic bleeding disorder resulting in a deficiency of coagulation FVIII. This disease affects male predominantly with an incidence of 1 in 5000 male birth. According to the Centers for Disease Control there are approximately 13 000 people living with hemophilia A in the US. Hemophilia A is characterized by frequent spontaneous bleeding episode as well as prolonged bleeding from trauma or surgery. Treatment and prevention of bleeding episode consist in replacing the missing factor FVIII with recombinant or plasma derived human FVIII.

    A major complication in the treatment of hemophilia A patients is the development of antibodies (called inhibitors) to human FVIII. Approximately 30% of hemophilia A patients will develop antibodies to human FVIII in their life time. For those patients control of bleeding episodes relies on treatment that bypasses the need for FVIII.

    The development of antibodies to human FVIII can also occur in individual with normal coagulation. These auto-antibodies neutralize circulating FVIII making it no longer available, thus creating a deficiency in FVIII. Those individuals are diagnosed with acquired hemophilia A.

    Acquired hemophilia A is a rare disease affecting about 1.48 individual per million with an estimated 445 cases per year in the US. Acquired hemophilia A is often associated with auto-immune disease, malignancy or pregnancy, although in about 50% of the cases there is no underlying disease. Clinical manifestation of acquired hemophilia includes spontaneous bleeding or prolonged bleeding due to minimal trauma or surgery and is more severe and anatomically diverse than in congenital hemophilia A.

    Replacement therapy with human FVIII is of limited benefit because it is rapidly neutralized by circulating antibodies. For those patients control of bleeding episodes also relies on treatment that bypasses the need for FVIII.

    About Ipsen

    Ipsen is an innovation driven international specialty pharmaceutical group with over 20 products on the market and a total worldwide staff of nearly 4,000. The company’s development strategy is based on a combination of products in targeted therapeutic areas (oncology, endocrinology and neuromuscular disorders) which are growth drivers, and primary care products which contribute significantly to its research financing. This strategy is also supported by an active policy of partnerships. The location of its four Research and Development centres (Paris, Boston, Barcelona, London) gives the Group a competitive edge in gaining access to leading university research teams and highly qualified personnel. In 2006, R&D expenditure was €178.3 million, i.e. 20.7% of consolidated sales, which amounted to €861.7 million while total revenues amounted to €945.3 million (in IFRS). 700 people in R&D are dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for patient care. Ipsen’s shares are traded on Segment A of Eurolist by EuronextTM (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150). Ipsen’s shares are eligible to the "Service de Regrave;glement Différé" ("SRD") and the Group is part of the SBF 120 index. For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at www.ipsen.com.

    Ipsen Forward-Looking Statements

    The forward-looking statements and targets contained herein are based on Ipsen's management's current views and assumptions. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. Moreover, the Research and Development process involves several stages at each of which there is a substantial risk that the Group will fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts in respect of a product in which it has invested significant sums. Thus, in order to develop a product which is viable from a commercial point of view, the Group must demonstrate, by means of pre-clinical and human clinical trials, that the molecules are effective and not dangerous to human beings. Therefore, the Group cannot be certain that favourable results obtained during pre-clinical trials will be confirmed subsequently during clinical trials, or that the results of clinical trials will be sufficient to demonstrate the safe and effective nature of the product concerned, or that the regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the data and the information provided by the Company. Ipsen expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward looking statements, targets or estimates contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. Ipsen's business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its information documents filed with the French Autorité des marchés financiers.


    Source: Ipsen
    [Read more!]

    Monday 7 July 2008

    Protein’eXpert signs accord with Althea Technologies to expand development

    Grenoble, July 7, 2008 — Protein’eXpert SA, a European contract research and manufacturing organization devoted to the early stage development and production of biotherapeutics announced today that it has signed a Letter of Intent to establish a complementary commercialization partnership with Althea Technologies Inc. (San Diego, United States). Althea Technologies is a leading provider of innovative technologies and services for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. The agreement stems from the introduction of the firms through the Lyon BioPôle and Invest in France Agency initiatives in the United States.

    The agreement provides for the pairing of each companies highly complimentary expertise to better serve the growing biopharmaceutical development markets and extends the global commercial activities of each firm, particularly in Europe and the United States. Clients will gain access to Protein'eXpert’s advanced protein engineering, process development and optimization expertise, with the full realm of cGMP manufacturing resources for production and Fill/Finish services from phase I clinical to commercial manufacturing provided by Althea. These complimentary service offerings will allow both companies to reach larger markets, to broaden services for new and challenging products and to better match early and late stage client requirements for protein projects.

    "We are very pleased to enter this agreement with Protein'eXpert. Their highly regarded science and service standards are a wonderful complement to Althea’s manufacturing services. We are confident that this will strengthen Althea’s presence in Europe and provide Althea clients valuable early stage process development capabilities," stated Dr. Magda Marquet, President and Co-CEO of Althea Technologies.

    "The partnership with Althea Technologies is a great opportunity for us. Their very strong position on the US market and their outstanding production facilities shall perfectly complement our expertise and set of services based on Recombinant protein engineering, development and small scale GMP production" says Dr. Tristan Rousselle, CEO of Protein’eXpert.

    This agreement is the first success of the Lyonbiopôle Program of support for biotech companies international development that Protein’expert benefits. This 2008/2009 program, supported by the General Directorate for Enterprises (DGE) from the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment, aims to help small and medium companies to set up international technological partnership with European and international companies.


    About Protein’eXpert, SA.

    Located in Grenoble (France), Protein’eXpert provides integrated protein therapeutics and vaccines development contract services. Recognized as a leading European player in the recombinant protein field, Protein’eXpert offers early stage development programme including protein engineering, process development and small scale cGMP manufacturing services. For more information, visit www.proteinexpert.com.

    About Althea Technologies, Inc.

    Althea Technologies, a leading San Diego-based pharmaceutical services firm, provides critical manufacturing services that support researchers worldwide in their advancement of novel therapies and efforts to apply new genomic information. Althea’s services include cGMP contract manufacturing of recombinant proteins, DNA-based therapeutics and vaccines, and aseptic filling. For more information, visit www.altheatech.com.

    Source: Protein’eXpert
    [Read more!]

    Friday 4 July 2008

    PennAkem, a fully owned subsidiary of Minakem Group Acquires Assets of Penn Specialty Chemicals, Inc.

    (July 4, 2008) Minafin, Minakem Group’s Holding Company and Penn Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (Memphis, Tennessee USA) are pleased to announce that Penn’s chemical assets have been acquired by PennAkem, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the French Minakem Group.

    Based in Memphis, Tennessee USA with production facilities in the USA and China, PennAkem becomes the global preeminent supplier of furfural and furan derivatives. Known as the "Furan Chemistry Specialists", the acquired Penn’s business produces all of their products starting from furfural. Furfural is a renewable resource that comes primarily from agricultural by-products such as corn cobs and sugar cane bagasse. PennAkem performs various chemistries with furfural to generate downstream value-added products that are marketed and sold globally to the pharmaceutical, agricultural chemical, petrochemical, and plastic industries.

    With this acquisition, PennAkem becomes the world leading producer of furan, methyltetrahydrofuran (a green solvent with several technical advantages over tetrahydrofuran) and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. PennAkem’s product portfolio also includes an array of difficult to produce multi-substituted furan derivatives useful in chemical synthesis for the Life Science Industries. "We are delighted to add Penn's renewable resource chemistry to the Minakem Group under the name of PennAkem", said Frédéric Gauchet, President of Minakem Group. "PennAkem brings us a very exciting family of green building blocks based on agricultural by-products not consumed in the food chain." "These new building blocks will greatly enhance our synthesis offerings and are an alternative to petroleum-based chemistry."

    Minakem Group is also the owner of Minakem (France) and Chemtec Leuna GmbH (Germany) engaged in custom synthesis for the Life Science Industries with FDA-approved sites, and Minasolve (France) devoted to the development of Building Blocks.

    The purchase of Penn’s Memphis site brings an American industrial platform, which will help the Minakem Group to better serve its American customer base and the increasing number of chemical users who desire to utilize greener chemicals made of renewable resources. "We are very pleased to welcome Penn’s team into the Minakem family; we have been very impressed by its chemical capability highly regarded in fine chemical industry." added Frédéric Gauchet. "With several important projects that are starting immediately with PennAkem, we anticipate strong synergies between our Group’s companies to add significant value to all our clients."

    Drew McManigle, Penn’s Director said: "Penn is pleased to be able to complete this transaction that combines Penns furfural derivatives business with such a pre-eminent entity as the Minakem Group".

    More information on can be found at www.pschem.com, www.chemtec-leuna.de, www.minakem.com and www.minasolve.com.


    Source: Minakem
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    Thursday 3 July 2008

    Senesco Signs A Supply Agreement For Polyplus-transfection's Delivery System

    New Brunswick, N.J, USA, July 3, 2008 — Senesco Technologies, Inc. ("Senesco" or the "Company") (AMEX:SNT) announced today that it has contracted with Polyplus-transfection (Illkirch, France) to supply Polyplus's "in vivo-jetPEI" for systemic delivery of Senesco's combination therapy of siRNA against Factor 5A and a plasmid of the Factor 5A gene.

    Senesco has previously reported positive preclinical in vivo results using its combination siRNA and plasmid delivered with "in vivo-jetPEI" against subcutaneous multiple myeloma tumors in immunodeficient mice.

    "This supply agreement will help Senesco move toward the necessary preclinical toxicology study and ultimately the planned clinical trial targeting multiple myeloma," commented Bruce Galton, Senesco's President and CEO. "Polyplus' PEI technology is already being used in clinical oncology trials by other companies and we look forward to working with them and using their technology to deliver our Factor 5A technology."

    "We are proud that Senesco has chosen our delivery system targeting multiple myeloma and that we have an agreement to supply the company according to this agreement" said Joëlle Bloch, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. "We are delighted that our "in vivo-jetPEI" will be used as delivery vehicle for a combination of siRNA and plasmid DNA in this therapeutic approach."


    About Polyplus-transfection

    Polyplus-transfection is focused on developing innovative solutions for delivery of biomolecules. The company has been marketing its transfection reagents worldwide since 2001 and is reinvesting most of its revenues in research and development.

    Transfection consists in introducing a gene or a small interfering RNA into cells. This technique makes it possible to cross the cellular barriers and deliver such biomolecules into the cells for research or therapeutic purposes.

    Customers of Polyplus-transfection's products and services include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as well as life science academic laboratories. Polyplus-transfection offers high quality consultancy, personalized scientific support and expertise in regulatory affairs related to the use of its reagents in clinical trials. Phases I/II cancer gene therapy and AIDS trials are underway in Israel, USA, Sweden and Germany using GMP-compliant reagents from Polyplus-transfection.

    The Strasbourg-based company is recognized as a leading innovator in the transfection market, with ISO 9001:2000 certification, exclusive licenses from the CNRS and numerous patent applications pending. Polyplus-transfection R&D has well-established partnerships with biotech companies and is also involved in several European research collaboration networks, such as GIANT (Gene Therapy, an Integrated Approach to Neoplastic Treatment) and RIGHT (RNA Interference Technology as Human Therapeutic Tool).

    Polyplus-transfection recently extended its field of expertise to the development of new cationic oligonucleotides, ZNA (Zip Nucleic Acid), for molecular biology and diagnostics.

    For more information, visit: http://www.polyplus-transfection.com

    About Senesco Technologies, Inc.

    Senesco Technologies, Inc. is a U.S. biotechnology company, headquartered in New Brunswick, NJ, USA. Senesco has initiated preclinical research to trigger or delay cell death in mammals (apoptosis) to determine if the technology is applicable in human medicine. Accelerating apoptosis may have applications to development of cancer treatments. Delaying apoptosis may have applications to certain inflammatory and ischemic diseases.

    Senesco takes its name from the scientific term for the aging of plant cells: senescence. Delaying cell breakdown in plants extends freshness after harvesting, while increasing crop yields, plant size and resistance to environmental stress. The Company believes that its technology can be used to develop superior strains of crops without any modification other than delaying natural plant senescence. Senesco has partnered with leading-edge companies engaged in agricultural biotechnology and earns research and development fees for applying its gene-regulating platform technology to enhance its partners' products.

    For more information, visit: http://www.senesco.com

    Source: Polyplus-transfection
    [Read more!]

    Tuesday 1 July 2008

    Ipsen completes purchase of Apokyn®, Vernalis US commercial operations and share subscription

    Paris (France), 1 July 2008 — Ipsen (Euronext: IPN) today announced that, following shareholder approval of Vernalis plc (LSE: VER), Ipsen has completed its purchase of Apokyn® and Vernalis’ US Commercial Operations. The subscription by Ipsen for 35,253,134 new ordinary shares of £0.05 (5 pence) each in the capital of Vernalis, as part of the Purchase arrangements, has also been completed today.

    About Ipsen

    Ipsen is an innovation-driven international specialty pharmaceutical group with over 20 products on the market and a total worldwide staff of nearly 4,000. Its development strategy is based on a combination of specialty products, which are growth drivers, in targeted therapeutic areas (oncology, endocrinology and neuromuscular disorders), and primary care products which contribute significantly to its research financing. The location of its four Research & Development centres (Paris, Boston, Barcelona, London) and its peptide and protein engineering platform give the Group a competitive edge in gaining access to leading university research teams and highly qualified personnel. More than 700 people in R&D are dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for patient care.This strategy is also supported by an active policy of partnerships. In 2007, Research and Development expenditure was about €185 million, in excess of 20% of consolidated sales, which amounted to €920.5 million while total revenues amounted to €993.8 million. Ipsen’s shares are traded on Segment A of Eurolist by EuronextTM (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150). Ipsen’s shares are eligible to the "Service de Règlement Différé" ("SRD") and the Group is part of the SBF 120 index. For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at www.ipsen.com.

    Ipsen Forward-looking statements

    The forward-looking statements and targets contained herein are based on Ipsen's management's current views and assumptions. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. Moreover, the Research and Development process involves several stages at each of which there is a substantial risk that the Group will fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts in respect of a product in which it has invested significant sums. Therefore, the Group cannot be certain that favourable results obtained during pre-clinical trials will be confirmed subsequently during clinical trials, or that the results of clinical trials will be sufficient to demonstrate the safe and effective nature of the product concerned, or that the regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the data and information provided by the Company. Ipsen expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward looking statements, targets or estimates contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. Ipsen's business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its information documents filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers.


    Source: Ipsen
    [Read more!]