Transgene's therapeutics vaccine TG4010: promising additional clinical data in non small cell lung cancer Phase IIb trial

Strasbourg, France, September 15th, 2008 — Transgene (Euronext Paris: FR0005175080) today announced further positive clinical results relating to its therapeutic vaccine TG4010 (MVA-MUC1-IL2) as an adjunct to first line chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results, which come from the controlled phase IIb study involving 148 patients randomized in two arms of treatment, were presented Saturday, September 13th at the 2008 annual meeting of ESMO (European Society of Medical Oncology) held in Stockholm.

The promising clinical data presented on June 2nd 2008, during the ASCO meeting are fully confirmed. After 17 months of median follow up, we can now report that long term survival is greater for those patients who received TG4010 in combination with first line (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) chemotherapy (experimental arm) than for those patients who received the chemotherapy alone (control arm). In the experimental arm, 39% of the patients are still alive today, compared to 23% of the patients in the control arm.

Furthermore, a quality of life analysis performed during the clinical study with the tool FACT-L (a survey based on patient filled questionnaires), showed no significant difference between the study arms. This provides further evidence that TG4010 can be combined to the standard first-line chemotherapy of advanced stage NSCLC patients without further altering their quality of life.

Recent data also confirms the very encouraging earlier results of Transgene’s biomarker program, associated with the study of TG4010. The study had already demonstrated in June 2008, at 13 months of median follow up, that patients who had a normal blood level of activated Natural Killer cells ("NK" cells, a group of cytotoxic lymphocytes) at baseline had a substantially longer median survival in the experimental arm than in the control arm. This sub-population represents 101 out of the 138 patients who could be evaluated for immunological analysis.

Indeed, for these patients, the most recent analysis shows an increase of 6.7 months of median survival for patients treated with TG4010 and chemotherapy (18 months) versus patients treated with chemotherapy alone (11.3 months). Moreover, all other classical metrics for efficacy demonstrate a significant benefit for patients in the experimental arm versus the control arm, as summarized in the following table:

Patient population with a normal blood level of activated NK cells at baseline	TG4010 + Chemotherapy (n=48)	Chemotherapy alone (n=53)	p-value and Hazard ratio
Six-month PFS	58%	38%	p=0.04
Median Time to Progression	6.4 months	4.4 months	p=0.005 HR: 0.57 [95CI:0.38-0.85]
Response Rate	56%	26%	p=0.007
Overall Survival	18 months	11.3 months	p=0.02 HR: 0.55 [95CI:0.33-0.92]

"We are delighted by the additional clinical data announced today, which once again validates our technological platform of immunotherapeutic products and our past investment in TG4010. In highlighting the biomarker findings, we wish to demonstrate the critical importance of associating translational research to the clinical development of innovative products," said Philippe Archinard, Chief Executive Officer of Transgene. "Overall, these results are extremely promising. We will still be gathering further results over the coming months whilst already preparing the next development steps toward registration of TG4010 for advanced NSCLC. In parallel Transgene is seeking a collaborative partnership that will ensure the product’s future clinical development for this indication, as well as for other indications and settings".


About the phase IIb Trial

The phase IIb trial is a randomized, open label and controlled study designed to assess the efficacy of TG4010 in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine compared to the chemotherapy regimen alone. The trial completed the enrolment of 148 patients at the end of May 2007 and was conducted in 27 centres located in France, Poland, Germany, and Hungary. The patients had NSCLC of all histology types including squamous cell carcinoma expressing MUC1, either stage IIIB with effusion (8%) or stage IV (92%), and had not received prior systemic treatment for their advanced disease. Half of the patients were randomized to receive the combination regimen of TG4010 vaccine plus chemotherapy (experimental arm). The other half of the patients received chemotherapy alone (control arm). The statistical primary endpoint was to observe at least 40% of patients free of progression six months after randomization in the experimental arm. Secondary endpoints were response rate, time to progression, overall survival, safety, immunological responses, proteomics, transcriptomics and genomics.

The ASCO and ESMO posters, together with previous communication on TG4010, are available on Transgene’s website (www.transgene.fr).

About TG4010 cancer vaccine

TG4010 (MVA-MUC1-IL2) uses the Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus vector, a poxvirus that combines distinguishing advantages for an optimized systemic vaccination:

• MVA is a highly attenuated strain which has been tested extensively in humans as a smallpox vaccine and is known to strongly stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses to antigens.
• MUC1 is a major tumor-associated antigen that provides a viable target for vaccination.
• TG4010 expresses the entire MUC1 gene sequence and has the potential to generate an immune response to all antigenic epitopes of MUC1.
• The sequence coding for the cytokine Interleukin 2 (IL2) is included to help stimulate specific T-cell response.

About Transgene

Transgene is a France-based biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of therapeutic vaccines and immunotherapeutic products in oncology and infectious diseases. The company has three compounds in Phase II trials (TG4001/R3484, TG4010 and TG1042) and one compound in Phase I studies (TG4040). Transgene has concluded a strategic partnership agreement with Roche for the development of its TG4001/R3484 therapeutic vaccine to treat HPV-mediated diseases. Transgene has bio-manufacturing capacities for viral-based vectors and technologies available for out-licensing. Additional information about Transgene is available on the Internet at www.transgene.fr.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements referring to the planned development and clinical testing of one of Transgene’s therapeutic vaccine candidates. However, successful product development and clinical testing depend on a variety of factors, including the timing and success of future patient enrolment and the risk of unanticipated adverse patient reactions. Results from future studies with more data may show less favourable outcomes than prior studies, and there is no certainty that product candidates will ever demonstrate adequate therapeutic efficacy or achieve regulatory approval or commercial use For further information on the risks and uncertainties involved in the testing of Transgene’s product candidates, and in connection generally with the development of its products, see Transgene’s Document de référence on file with the French Autorité des marchés financiers on its website at http://www.amf-france.org and Transgene’s website at http://www.transgene.fr.


Source: Transgène

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NeoMPS S.A. — Company Profile

NeoMPS SA 7, rue de Boulogne 67100 Strasbourg France Tel.: +33 (0)3 88 79 08 79 Fax: +33 (0)3 88 79 18 56 Email: neo@neomps.com Website: http://www.neomps.com/

NeoMPS provides a full spectrum of products and services in the field of custom peptide synthesis for research and development, amino acids, peptide building blocks and custom organic synthesis, as well as GMP manufacturing.

Since its creation in 1986, NeoMPS SA has been in perpetual evolution, consistently adapting operations to meet the always expanding needs of its customers.

NeoMPS SA has supplied over 35.000 different products in milligram to gram quantities to the scientific community, acquiring a great deal of expertise in the manufacture of unusual amino acids, peptides and peptide derivatives.

In 1998, our GMP production facility became fully functional enabling us to supply hundreds of grams to kilogram quantities of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to biopharmaceutical companies around the world.

From the beginning, our goal at NeoMPS SA is to provide a full spectrum of technologies of products and services. We offer custom peptide synthesis for research and development, amino acids, peptide building blocks, custom organic synthesis and GMP manufacturing.

Nearly one thousand regular customers worlwide trust our company and can attest to our reliability. This is the result of good technology placed in well-qualified hands enhanced by the dedication our people bring to their work.

Now with two facilities on two different continents: NeoMPS, Inc. in California, USA, and NeoMPS SA in France are united to serve you with separate geographical distributions and complementary capabilities.



Source: NeoMPS

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Polyplus-transfection S.A. — Company Profile

Polyplus-transfection SA BIOPARC Boulevard Sébastien Brant BP 90018 67400 Illkirch France Tel.: +33 (0)3 90 40 61 80 Fax : +33 (0)3 90 40 61 81 Website: http://www.polyplus-transfection.com/

Polyplus-transfection is a research-focused biotechnology company developing and marketing innovative solutions for transfection and therapies based on nucleic acid delivery.

Transfection allows the introduction of nucleic acids, such as a gene or small interfering RNA (siRNA), into cells using chemical compounds. The technique is widely used in experimental research and in protein production.

Introducing a gene into a cell nucleus triggers the expression of the corresponding protein. Conversely, transferring siRNA will block the production of a protein. Inappropriate gene expression is the root cause of numerous diseases. As a result, the ability to control those genes through gene therapy or RNA interference opens up new therapeutic approaches where efficient intra-cellular drug transfer is key to success.

Using its know-how in nucleic acid delivery, the R&D department at Polyplus-transfection is focused on the development of innovative synthetic compounds designed to take account of the latest advances in the transfer of biomolecules, especially the in vivo delivery of small interfering RNA. Polyplus-transfection is one of the technology leaders in the transfection market.

Polyplus-transfection has established a number of R&D partnerships with biotechnology companies involved in therapeutics. It also plays an active role in European research networks such as GIANT (Gene therapy, and 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.


Source: Polyplus-transfection

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Transgène S.A. — Company Profile

Transgène S.A. Head office & Laboratory 11, rue de Molsheim 67082 Strasbourg Cedex France Tel.: +33 (0)3 88 27 91 00 Email: communication@transgene.fr Website: http://www.transgene.fr/

Transgene is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene-based therapeutic vaccines and immunotherapy products for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.

Transgene's business strategy is to develop therapeutic vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases based on its broad technology platform for gene delivery. Transgene implements this strategy in three different ways:

• by developing vaccines and products in specific indications and partnering with pharmaceutical companies for later stage development;
• by independently developing and commercializing vaccines and products for certain special markets;
• by licensing vector technologies to companies with proprietary genes for short and medium term revenues.

Source: Transgène

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Ipsen — Company Profile

SCRAS IHB Research and Development Z.I. de Courtaboeuf 5, avenue du Canada 91966 Les Ulis Cedex France Tel.: +33 (0)1 60 92 20 00 Fax: +33 (0)1 69 07 38 02 Website: http://www.ipsen.com/

Ipsen is an innovation driven international specialty pharmaceutical group, which currently markets more than 20 drugs, employing nearly 4,000 people around the world.

Its development strategy is based on a complementary combination of specialised products, which are growth drivers, in the Group’s targeted therapeutic areas (oncology, endocrinology and neuromuscular disorders) and primary care products, which help finance its Research and development activities. The location of its four Research and 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 partnership policy.

Ipsen has industrial sites in France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, China and the United States, and plantations and leaf-drying facilities in France, China and the United States. Each of the Group’s manufacturing facilities focuses on a particular technology to maximise its operational efficiency. For instance, the Dublin site (Ireland) is devoted to the purification and formulation of proteins, while the Dreux plant (France) specialises in the manufacturing and packaging of high volumes of oral formulations.

Furthermore, Ipsen promotes continuous productivity improvement of its manufacturing processes. Upstream efforts by manufacturing, development and research teams promote mutual enhancement. This integration is a necessary step towards improving product quality, guaranteeing patient safety and developing optimal manufacturing processes within the Group’s cost optimisation rationale.

Products

In both its targeted therapeutic areas and in primary care, Ipsen has a diversified portfolio of leading medicines that have demonstrated a good safety profile.

The Group's product portfolio includes pharmaceutical products marketed around the world to specialists working in its targeted therapeutic areas (oncology, endocrinology and neuromuscular disorders), which are its primary areas of development. The Group also markets products in other therapeutic areas in which it boasts longstanding expertise (gastroenterology, cardiovascular and cognitive disorders). To a great extent, these are composed of primary care.

Targeted therapeutic areas
Oncology: Decapeptyl®
Endocrinology: Somatuline®, NutropinAq®, Increlex®
Neuromuscular disorders: Dysport®

Primary care
Gastroenterology: Smecta®, Forlax®
Cognitive disorders: Tanakan®
Cardiovascular: Ginkor Fort®, Nisis® & Nisisco®


Contact information:

France — Manufacturing and Supply Organisation
SCA Saint Jean d'Illac
Chemin du Blayais
33127 Saint Jean d'Illac
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 56 21 67 75
Fax: +33 (0)5 56 21 87 00

France — Manufacturing and Supply Organisation
SCA Saint Jean d'Illac
Plantation Captieux - Les cultures
33840 Captieux
France
Tel: +33 (0)5 56 65 68 34
Fax: +33 (0)5 56 65 68 57

France — Manufacturing and Supply Organisation
Beaufour Ipsen Industries SAS
rue d'Ethe Virton
28100 Dreux
France
Tel: +33 (0)2 37 65 46 00
Fax: +33 (0)2 37 46 85 98

France — Manufacturing and Supply Organisation
Beaufour Ipsen Industries SAS
Saint Véran — Chemin de Reydet
84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
France
Tel: +33 (0)4 90 21 27 00
Fax: +33 (0)4 90 38 20 65

France — Manufacturing and Supply Organisation
Ipsen Pharma Biotech SAS
Z.E. de Signes — CD 402
83870 Signes
France
Tel: +33 (0)4 94 10 76 76
Fax: +33 (0)4 94 10 76 79

France — International Operations
Beaufour Ipsen Pharma
37, rue Spontini
75116 Paris
France
Tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 76 00
Fax: +33 (0)1 47 55 84 44

France — France Operations
Beaufour Ipsen Pharma
24 rue Erlanger
75016 Paris
France
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 96 13 13
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 96 11 99

France — Ipsen Corporate Headquarters
Ipsen
42, rue du Dr Blanche
75016 Paris
France
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 30 43 43
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 30 43 21

France — Research and Development
SCRAS IHB
Z.I. de Courtaboeuf
5, avenue du Canada
91966 Les Ulis cedex
France
Tel: +33 (0)1 60 92 20 00
Fax: +33 (0)1 69 07 38 02

Source: Ipsen


History
The Ipsen story began when Laboratoires Beaufour was founded in 1929 by Dr. Henri Beaufour. In 1969 the Institut Henri Beaufour research centre was founded. In 1975, IPSEN was created (Institut de Produits de Synthese et d'Extraction Naturelle). Ipsen (Greece) was formed in 1980, and Ipsen International was created in 1981 in London to coordinate clinical and regulatory affairs, followed by Ipsen in Belgium in 1982. Fondation Ipsen was founded in France in 1983. In 1986, Laboratoires Astier was acquired and Ipsen Biotech was formed, and in 1987 the first Asian office was opened. 1986 saw the acquisition of LASA Laboratories in Spain (now called Ipsen Pharma), and expansion into the USA. In 1994, Speywood was acquired in the UK (now named Ipsen). In 2003, Beaufour Ipsen changed its name to Ipsen.

Ipsen's strategy relies on three factors: operational excellence in selected therapeutic areas, a policy of active alliances both in R&D and operations, and an effort to expand the international scope of the business. Ipsen carries out R&D, Formulation and Production, and Marketing. Ipsen is the fifth largest French pharmaceutical company. Ipsen operates from four R&D sites: Biotechnology in the USA (Boston), International Clinical Development, Business Development and Licensing in the UK (London), Formulation Research in Spain (Barcelona) and therapeutic agents of low molecular weight in France (Paris). The company's subsidiaries are located in Europe, the USA, and Asia/Australia. In the rest of the world, Ipsen operates through commercial partnerships.

Source: Pharmalicensing

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Pierre FABRE donates the majority equity interest in his company to his Foundation and appoints Jean-Pierre GARNIER general manager of Pierre FABRE SA

Castres, 29 August 2008 — Faithful to the commitment made in 2005 to his employees, Mr. Pierre FABRE asked the Pierre Fabre Foundation’s board of directors to accept the donation of 100% of the equity of Pierre Fabre Participation, a holding company with a 60% share in Laboratoires Pierre Fabre. The aim of this operation is to secure the long-term independence of Pierre Fabre SA, a company founded in 1961 in Castres with a turnover of €1.7 billion in pharmaceuticals, family medical products and dermocosmetics.

At the same time, Mr. Pierre FABRE expressed his intention to transform Pierre Fabre SA into a company under a Supervisory Committee, chaired by him, with Mr. GARNIER heading the management board.

Mr. Jean-Pierre GARNIER, 60, was CEO of the world’s second biggest pharmaceuticals group, GlaxoSmithKline Beecham, until last May. An Officer of the Legion of Honour, Mr. GARNIER has been a member of the French Healthcare Industries Strategic Council since the organisation was founded.

When announcing this decision, Mr. Pierre FABRE stated: "we are fortunate to have a man with so much experience in the global pharmaceutics arena in the person of Jean-Pierre GARNIER, who will enable us to successfully sustain the considerable R&D efforts the company has been making over the past few years and amplify its growth."


About Pierre Fabre SA

Pierre Fabre SA achieved a turnover of €1.7 billion in 2007 and employs a workforce of nearly 10,000. It ranks as the second biggest independent laboratory in France and leads the in-pharmacy cosmetics sector, which accounts for half the group’s turnover.

The Pierre Fabre Foundation is a registered charity founded by order of the prime minister on 8 April 1999. It is chaired by Mr. Pierre Fabre and works to promote good pharmaceutical practice and improve healthcare in developing countries.


Source: Company

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IEB (Institut Européen de Biologie Cellulaire) — Company Profile

Institut Européen de Biologie Cellulaire 18, avenue de l'Europe 31520 Ramonville St Agne (Toulouse) France Tel.: +33 (0)5 62 88 73 00 Fax: +33 (0)5 62 88 73 01 Website: http://www.ieb.fr/

Created in 1993, the Institut Européen de Biologie cellulaire brought together scientists from the pharmaceutical industry. The research teams have developed and produced innovative biomimetic oligopeptides used by the largest cosmetic companies.

The assessed performances of our ingredients have given the I.E.B. the opportunity to register six international patents and to be awarded two trophies.

Our research team has developed and perfected an innovative concept of actives in dermo-cosmetology.

Our peptidic actives stimulate and strengthen the different skin functions. They also make up for physiopathological disorders linked to skin ageing and stress thanks to their regenerative capacities.

Spread through the skin, our biocompatible products have a perfectly determined action on the various elements making up the skin, without any systemic effect.



Source: Institut Européen de Biologie Cellulaire

Editor's Note: The IEB is part of the Unipex Group since May 2008.

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GTP Technology — Company Profile

GTP Technology Bâtiment Biostep Rue Pierre et Marie Curie — BP 48184 31681 Labège Cedex France Tel.: +33 (0)5 61 28 70 20 Fax: + 33 (0)5 61 28 70 21 Email: contact@gtptech.com Website: http://www.gtptech.com/

GTP Technology is a contract research organization providing tailor-made solutions for recombinant proteins expression and engineering.

Our services target pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, biotech companies, food industry and academic laboratories, for numerous applications: high throughput screening, preclinical studies, functional and structural analysis...

GTP Technology is a biotech company dedicated to provide tailor-made solutions for the engineering and expression of recombinant proteins. The company was set up in 2000 by Eric Devic (Pharm.D. PhD) as a spin out from the Protein Engineering Department of P. Sabatier University in Toulouse, France.

GTP Technology offers its customers a comprehensive set of services for recombinant proteins, from gene cloning to protein production and purification and also, now, structural analysis with the Eiffel Biostructure platform. In addition, the company has extended its range of services and offers Real-Time PCR protocols development or optimization.

GTP Technology is renowned for its expertise — more than 200 proteins produced up to now — and for the quality of its services. As a result, the company has become one of the privileged partners of the main French pharmaceutical, biotech and food companies.

GTP Technology is located in Labege (near Toulouse), France.


Source: GTP Technology

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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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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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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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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

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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 Euronext^TM (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

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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

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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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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

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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 Euronext^TM (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

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Inoveol®: LibraGen's cosmetics actives are now Ecocert-approved

Toulouse, 27th June 2008 — Actives of the Inoveol® range developed by LibraGen for the dermocosmetic, have just been approved by Ecocert for their conformity according to the ecological and organics standards. The level of standard required by this validation guarangees to consumers the respect of the implementation of real ecological good practices in the manufacturing process of these products.

Resulting from LibraGen's research, products of the Inoveol^® range are molecules of natural origin selected for their recognized biological properties in dermocosmetic. These innovative actives are plant polyphenols, purified, stabilized and made water soluble thanks to a green chemistry process.

The technological rupture brought by the Inoveol^® product range makes it possible easily to formulate natural polyphenols with recognized benefits but yet not easily exploitable. The Inoveol^® actives thereby make it possible to create new ranges of cosmetics answering the current books of tendency.

"The validation of these first actives of the Inoveol^® range according to the Ecocert standards provides a competitive advantage to our customers who can from now on use these Ecocert-approved actives as ingredients in the cosmetic products certified according to the standards of the Natural and Organic Cosmetics" Renaud Nalin declares, CEO of LibraGen. "This is an additional recognition of the quality of these products, and of the ecological, biological and technological context of which they form part".

This first series of Inoveol^® products is proposed on catalogue to customers of the cosmetic field. In parallel, a collection of more than 30 other Inoveol^® actives is available to allow exclusive co-developments in partnerships with the actors of the field.

The R&D laboratories of LibraGen continue their innovative research to provide new exclusive molecules to their partners in the cosmetic and the nutrition fields.


More on Ecocert-approved Inoveol^® Actives:
http://www.ecocert.fr/spip.php?page=article_distant&id_rubrique=16&id_rubrique_services=28&id_article_services=105

About LibraGen: LibraGen is specialized in the development of competitive synthesis processes to produce valuable molecules and intermediates by biological means (Green Chemistry &mdash Biocatalysis) for the fine chemistry, pharmaceutical, nutrition, and cosmetic industries. By integrating expertises from the discovery phase until the production step, LibraGen delivers advanced and scalable solutions to answer economical market competition. Meeting top quality requirements of international partners, LibraGen is now the exclusive producer of specialty enzymes and of active ingredients for third parties.


Source: LibraGen

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siRNAsense chooses Polyplus-transfection's delivery system

The Norwegian company siRNAsense has chosen to collaborate with the French company Polyplus-transfection for delivery of their first drug candidate. Oslo, Norway June 13, 2008 — siRNAsense today announces that the company has chosen to use Polyplus-transfection's "in vivo-jetPEI" delivery system for the systemic delivery of their drug candidate "siRNA targeting Tissue Factor" for treatment of melanoma metastasis. siRNAsense selected Polyplus´ delivery system after experimental validation of several potential delivery systems.

"We have chosen the Polyplus delivery system because we found it to be well suited for systemic delivery of our drug candidate against melanoma metastasis. This is a very important step for siRNAsense. Following encouraging efficacy data in a mouse model of metastasis, we are now proceeding with preclinical studies in mice and primates to further develop our drug candidate using Polyplus´ delivery system", says Hanne Mette Kristensen, CEO of siRNAsense.

siRNA is short for "small interfering RNA" and represents a major breakthrough in biology, whose potential therapeutic impact was recognized by the award of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2006. siRNAsense's drug candidate is a synthetic siRNA that interferes with metastasis of melanoma, primarily by inhibiting circulating cancer cells' ability to attach to other cell membranes. For the drug to be efficient, it must be formulated in a vehicle which ensures delivery to the cancer cells. This is where Polyplus-transfection's technology has proven to be effective.

"We are delighted that siRNAsense has chosen our delivery system. We look forward to future collaboration with siRNAsense," said Joëlle Bloch, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. "It is an advantage for our "in vivo-jetPEI" to be used as delivery reagent for a new therapeutic target: the treatment of melanoma metastasis."


About siRNAsense
Find and fight the cause, not the symptoms.

siRNAsense AS is an exciting biotechnology company based on RNA interference research performed at The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo. The discovery of RNA interference is the basis for development of a new class of drugs targeting serious diseases. siRNAsense intends to become a significant player of biomedical innovation and early phase drug discovery and development within the field of RNA interference. The company will achieve this through research and development of drug candidates initially within the oncology area.

siRNAsense's first drug candidate is "siRNA targeting Tissue Factor". The drug candidate interferes with metastasis in cancer cells by blocking the cancer cells' ability to attach to other cell membranes. Over 90 per cent of cancer deaths are caused by metastasis. siRNAsense will now initiate clinical phase enabling studies with the lead drug candidate.

The company recently received a major grant from the Research Council of Norway to develop the drug candidate, and has also previously received support from the Council and the Norwegian Cancer Society. siRNAsense is a member of Oslo Cancer Cluster (OCC), a cluster comprising of 44 members with a total of 40 projects in the clinical pipeline. The company continues to enjoy close research collaboration with the Biotechnology Centre of Oslo.

siRNAsense has a good dialogue with several of the major pharma companies, and receives a lot of interest in its work. The business model is to license out from phase I/II clinical studies.

For more information visit http://www.sirnasense.com


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 Polyplustransfection.

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


Source: Polyplus-transfection

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