Beaufour Ipsen markets a new injection formulation of somatuline in the UK, France and Portugal

The Beaufour Ipsen Group has obtained authorisation to market a new sustained-release injection formulation of lanreotide, Somatuline Autogel, in the UK, France and Portugal.

Somatuline Autogel is used to control growth hormone (GH) levels in people with acromegaly and also to provide symptomatic relief for patients with neuroendocrine tumours. Clinical studies have shown that Somatuline Autogel provides sustained drug release for at least 28 days.

 

Source: Ipsen

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Corixa and Beaufour Ipsen collaborate to develop and commercialize corixa’s anergix.mg™ technology for the treatment of myasthenia gravis

Seattle and Paris, Jan. 15, 2002 — Corixa Corporation (Nasdaq: CRXA), a developer of immunotherapeutics, and Beaufour Ipsen Group a European based global pharmaceutical company , today announced a license, development and commercialization agreement for Corixa’s AnergiX.MGTM technology for the treatment of myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal muscles of the body.

Under the terms of the agreement, Corixa will provide Beaufour Ipsen with exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market its AnergiX.MG technology for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Beaufour Ipsen will manage product development, including clinical trials and regulatory submissions. Beaufour Ipsen will pay Corixa an up-front license fee, guaranteed research support, success-based milestone payments and royalties in the event of Beaufour Ipsen product sales. The collaboration will be overseen by a joint steering committee made up of representatives from both companies. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed by either party.

"Our agreement with Beaufour Ipsen demonstrates the continued value of the AnergiX technology originally obtained in the Anergen acquisition and further extends the therapy potential of Corixa technology," stated Steven Gillis, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Corixa. "We hope that our collaboration with Beaufour Ipsen will provide a much needed treatment for those suffering from this debilitating neuromuscular disorder."

"We are excited to be working with Corixa to develop the AnergiX.MG technology, which will further expand our dedication to the treatment of neuromuscular diseases" said Jacques-Pierre Moreau, Beaufour Ipsen group Vice President Research & Development. "We share in Corixa’s commitment to discovering and developing innovative technologies and look forward to the possibility of developing a novel treatment for myasthenia gravis patients."


About Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. It occurs when normal communication between the nerve and muscle is interrupted at the neuromuscular junction — the place where nerve cells connect with the muscles they control. Normally when impulses travel down the nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine travels through the neuromuscular junction and binds to acetylcholine receptors that are activated and generate a muscle contraction. In myasthenia gravis, antibodies block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction that prevents the muscle contraction from occurring.

About Corixa

Corixa is a developer of immunotherapeutics with a commitment to treating and preventing autoimmune diseases, cancer and infectious diseases by understanding and directing the immune system. Corixa is focused on immunotherapeutic products and has a broad technology platform enabling both fully integrated vaccine design and the use of its separate, proprietary product components on a stand-alone basis. Corixa currently has 16 programs in clinical development and 22 programs in preclinical development, including its most advanced product candidate, Bexxar®, a monoclonal antibody conjugated to a radioisotope.

The company partners with numerous developers and marketers of pharmaceuticals, targeting products that are Powered by Corixa^TM technology with the goal of making its potential products available to patients around the world. Corixa was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with additional operations in Hamilton, Montana and South San Francisco, California. For more information, please visit Corixa's Website at www.corixa.com or call the company's investor relations information line at 1.877.4CORIXA or 877/426-7492.

About Beaufour Ipsen

Beaufour Ipsen is an independent European ethical pharmaceutical company which, aside from a traditional line of natural products (Gingko Biloba extracts & clays), has successfully developed and commercialized a range of specialist and biotech derived pharmaceuticals. Beaufour Ipsen is a leader in the development and production of controlled release formulation for therapeutic peptides used in the treatment of hormone responsive illnesses. Beaufour Ipsen market Dysport a brand of Botulinum toxin prescribed for the treatment of motor disorders & muscle spasticity. The company has sales in 80 countries.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in this press release relating to the development of our products and the results of our collaboration with Beaufour Ipsen are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made. They are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that could affect Corixa's actual results include, but are not limited to the failure of the AnergiX.MG program to result in a safe or efficacious product for treating myasthenia gravis, the failure of Beaufour Ipsen to devote sufficient resources to the development and commercialization of AnegiX.MG and the other "Factors Affecting Our Operating Results, Our Business and Our Stock Price," described in Corixa’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001, copies of which are available from Corixa’s investor relations department. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.


Source: Ipsen

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Jean-Luc Belingard is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Beaufour Ipsen

Paris/London, December 3, 2001 — Jean Luc Belingard has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Beaufour Ipsen, the fifth largest French pharmaceutical company, by the Board of Directors, effective January 2, 2002, hence succeeding Stéphane François. In this capacity, he will drive Beaufour Ipsen towards new challenges. In particular, Jean-Luc Belingard will implement a strategy based on alliances and co-operations with other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, leading to an initial public offering towards 2003.

Given Jean-Luc Belingard's wide ranging experience and expertise, the Board of Directors of Beaufour Ipsen expresses full confidence that he can deliver on his ambitious growth plans for the company, whilst maintaining its identity and core values. Jean-Luc Belingard's track record will confer Beaufour Ipsen an ever stronger dynamism in the years to come.

Jean-Luc Belingard, 53, a graduate from HEC, the premier French business school, who holds an MBA from Cornell University. He has spent the past 27 years in the pharmaceutical industry, successively with Merck & Co (1974-81), Roche (1981-99) and more recently with bioMérieux-Pierre Fabre, the third largest French pharmaceutical company.

At Roche, Jean-Luc Belingard was the youngest management board chairman within the group, at the helm of the French affiliate (1983-90), and the youngest group executive committee member (1990-99) heading the diagnostics division which was made into the world's leading diagnostics company during his tenure, notably through the acquisition of the PCR technology from Cetus Corp in 1991 and the acquisition and successful integration of Boehringer Mannheim in 1997. In addition, from his time at Roche, Jean-Luc Belingard has been elected to, and still sits on the Boards of Directors of Celera Genomics (US) and Laboratory Corporation of America (US), as well as that of French biotechnology company Exonhit Therapeutics. Jean-Luc Belingard joined Pierre Fabre in 1999 as Vice-Chairman and CEO, and following the merger with bioMérieux in 2000, he became Chief Executive Officer of the newly-created bioMérieux-Pierre Fabre.


Beaufour Ipsen: Facts & Figures 2000

Sales (Euros): 653 million Euros including 352 million Euros outside of France

Number of employees: 3,440 including 1,770 outside of France

Worldwide direct presence in over 30 countries

4 Research and Development Centers: Paris, Boston, Barcelona, London

12 manufacturing sites: France, Europe, China

5 therapeutic categories:
— Endocrinology/Oncology
— Neurosciences
— Haematology
— Cardiovascular
— Gastro-intestintal tract

Worldwide leadership in extraction technologies:
— clay-based products
— Ginkgo biloba

World-class drug delivery expetise in peptides

R&D focus on 5 major areas:
— Endocrinology
— Oncology
— Metabolic diseases
— Neurosciences
— Haematology


Source: Ipsen

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Transgene presents encouraging Phase II cancer vaccine data at 22nd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

San Antonio, Texas, December 10, 1999 — At the 22nd Annual Breast Cancer Symposium, TRANSGENE (NASDAQ:TRGNY; Nouveau Marché: TRANSGENE) today presented the results from a Phase II clinical trial using the Company's cancer vaccine, VV-MUC1-IL2, in women with metastatic breast cancer. These data, combined with pre-clinical data and results from another clinical trial in men with prostate cancer, demonstrate a favorable safety profile and anti-tumor activity in selected patients with advanced cancer treated with VV-MUC1-IL2. VV-MUC1-IL2 is a cancer vaccine in which the genes for the tumor antigen MUC1 and the immune stimulant IL2 have been inserted into a vaccinia virus. Treatment with the vaccine is intended to induce a reaction by the body's immune system against the MUC1 tumor antigen. MUC1 has been detected in tumor tissues of a majority of patients with breast cancer, prostate cancer, as well as several other types of tumors.

The Phase II study presented by Dr. David Miles of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund at Guy's Hospital, London, was conducted in 31 patients at sites in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Israel. Treatment with the vaccine resulted in objective tumor regression and a partial remission in two patients, both of whom had advanced metastatic disease that did not respond to either chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.

"These results are notable in that we saw systemic anti-tumor activity," said Dr, Miles. "The ability to induce a partial remission in patients with visceral metastases who have progressive disease after intensive chemotherapy is important evidence of the potential role of therapeutic vaccines in the treatment of cancer."

"The use of vaccines for advanced cancer could represent an important new avenue in cancer treatment," said Michael Ross, Vice President of Medical and Regulatory Affairs of TRANSGENE. "The MUC1 tumor antigen provides an avenue to attack breast cancer, prostate cancer as well as other types of cancers. TRANSGENE's proprietary vaccinia virus platform has enabled us to move this product forward very rapidly."

The MUC1 product is part of TRANSGENE's broader effort to develop technologies that will enhance the human immune system's ability to reject cancer cells. Utilizing the same vaccinia virus vector, TRANSGENE has a second cancer vaccine in clinical trials based on the MVA strain carrying the genes for antigens from the human papilloma virus (HPV) type 16, which is responsible for more than 50% of cases of cervical cancer. TRANSGENE's second major focus in oncology is the general enhancement of the body's immune response to cancer, with currently three products in clinical trials: Adenovirus-IL2, Vero-IL2, and Adenovirus-IFN-γ.

"We are extremely encouraged by TRANSGENE's clinical progress in each of our anti-cancer initiatives," said Bernard Gilly, President and Chief Executive Officer of TRANSGENE. "This continued success and our commitment to an extensive and diverse vector platform confirms our dedication to the field of gene therapy."


TRANSGENE, based in Strasbourg, France, with US offices near Boston, Massachusetts, is a leading integrated gene therapy company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene delivery technologies and gene therapy products for the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases for which there is no cure or adequate therapy at present. The Company's proprietary technology platform consist of multiple vector families with a special emphasis on vaccinia virus, adenovirus and synthetic vectors. TRANSGENE has entered in two significant partnerships with Schering-Plough and Human Genome Sciences.

Source: Transgène

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Transgene initiates a Phase I trial with its MVA-HPV-IL2 product in cervical cancer

-Received Notice of Allowance of Additional US Patent for Cancer Vaccines-

Strasbourg, France, September 14, 1999 — TRANSGENE (NASDAQ:TRGNY; Nouveau Marché: TRANSGENE) announced today the initiation of its first clinical trial with MVA-HPV-IL2, the Company's sixth product in the clinic. The Phase I clinical trial is being conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, in patients with grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3), a pre-cancerous stage disease, under a TRANSGENE sponsored Investigational New Drug (IND). This is the company's third IND approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Two additional Phase I clinical trials with the same product are being implemented in the United States and in Switzerland.

The MVA-HPV-IL2 product is part of TRANSGENE's effort to develop cancer vaccines to enhance the human immune system's ability to reject cancer cells. The MVA-HPV-IL2 vaccine consist of TRANSGENE's proprietary vaccinia virus vector based on the MVA strain carrying the genes for antigens from the human papilloma virus (HPV) type 16, which is responsible for more than 50% of the cases of cervical cancer. Approximately 100,000 cases of cervical cancer are newly diagnosed in Europe and the United States per year. The clinical trials with this product are designed to explore its potential utility in the treatment and prevention of cervical cancer caused by HPV16.

In addition, TRANSGENE announced that it received Notice of Allowance from the United States Patents and Trademarks Office of a key patent covering its cancer vaccines technology. The patents, entitled "Expression of a tumor-specific antigen by a recombinant virus vector and use thereof", covers methods of treating virally-induced tumors and viral vectors encoding at least the essential region of a non-structural protein from papillomavirus, especially selected E1, E2, E4, E5, E6 and E7 of HPV-16. The US patent adds to TRANSGENE's portfolio of patents previously granted in Europe, the United States and Japan protecting intellectual property on the cancer vaccines technology which TRANSGENE is developing through the clinical trial above-mentioned.

"With this sixth product entering clinical development, TRANSGENE confirms its dedication to lead the development of gene therapy products, in particular in the field of oncology" said Bernard Gilly, President and Chief Executive Officer of TRANSGENE. "We are pleased to see this commitment supported by a strong patent position, allowing TRANSGENE to foresee the development of this additional product on a worldwide basis."

TRANSGENE's other approaches in oncology include another cancer vaccine using the vaccinia virus in which the virus expresses MUC1, a tumor antigen expressed in a wide range of adenocarcinomas, which is in Phase  clinical trials in the United States and Europe, in patients with breast and prostate cancers. The major direction of TRANSGENE's anti-cancer program is the general enhancement of the body's immune response to cancer, with currently three products in clinical trials: Adenovirus-IL2, Vero-IL2, and Adenovirus-IFN-γ.


TRANSGENE, based in Strasbourg, France, with US offices near Boston, Massachusetts, is a leading integrated gene therapy company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene delivery technologies and gene therapy products for the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases for which there is no cure or adequate therapy at present. The Company's proprietary technology platform consist of five vector families, including three of viral origin (adenovirus, retrovirus, vaccinia virus) and two of non viral origin (cellular and synthetic vectors). TRANSGENE currently has four Phase II studies ongoing in four different types of cancers. TRANSGENE has entered in two significant partnerships with Schering-Plough and Human Genome Sciences.

Source: Transgène

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Transgene initiates a phase I trial with its adenovirus-IFNγamma product in malignant melanoma

-Brings total number of products in the clinic to five-

Strasbourg, France, June 22, 1999 — TRANSGENE (NASDAQ:TRGNY) announced today the initiation of a new clinical trial using adenovirus-IFN-γ for the first time. This Phase I clinical trial is being conducted at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, in patients with advanced malignant melanoma, under a TRANSGENE sponsored Investigational New Drug (IND). This is the company's second IND approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Additional Phase I clinical trials are being implemented in Europe.

The adenovirus-IFN-γ project is part of TRANSGENE's effort to enhance the human immune system's ability to reject cancer cells and thus provide an improved, less toxic alternative to chemotherapy and radiation in the treatment of advanced cancer. The product is based on TRANSGENE's adenovirus technology and is designed to produce interferon-γ, a natural cytokine that helps to stimulate the body's immune system. Studies in laboratory animals have indicated the potential value of this compound in stimulating the immune system and enhancing the response against cancer, both alone and in combination with other forms of immunotherapy.

TRANSGENE has two other product in clinical trials which incorporate interleukin-2, another member of the cytokine family, which is known for it important role in stimulating the immune system. The other major approach in TRANSGENE's oncology program is based on the development of anti-cancer vaccines, where tumor specific antigens are produced by vaccinia viruses in an effort to boost the body's immune response against these antigens.

"With the launch of this new trial, TRANSGENE is advancing its strategy to fight cancer," said Bernard Gilly, President and Chief Executive Officer of TRANSGENE. "The very encouraging preliminary results from our breast cancer Phase II trial released a few weeks ago at the ASCO conference, ours various other ongoing trials and an extensive and diverse vector platform make TRANSGENE a leader in this field."


TRANSGENE, based in Strasbourg, France, with US offices near Boston, Massachusetts, is a leading integrated gene therapy company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene delivery technologies and gene therapy products for the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases for which there is no cure or adequate therapy at present. The Company's proprietary technology platform consist of five vector families, including three of viral origin (adenovirus, retrovirus, vaccinia virus) and two of non viral origin (cellular and synthetic vectors). TRANSGENE currently has four Phase II studies ongoing in four different types of cancers. TRANSGENE has entered in two significant partnerships with Schering-Plough and Human Genome Sciences.

Source: Transgène

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Transgene initiates a second Phase II trial with its Vero-IL2 product in mesothelioma

Strasbourg, France, March 10, 1999 — TRANSGENE (NASDAQ:TRGNY) announced today the initiation of a second Phase II clinical trial of its Vero-IL2 product in Freiburg, Germany, in the laboratory of Professor Mertelsmann, with the enrollment of the first two patients. The study will include 20 patients with malignant mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer arising in the pleura (lining) of the lung.

TRANSGENE's Vero-IL2 product is an immortal cell line genetically modified to produce interleukine-2, a natural cytokine that helps to stimulate the body's immune system. Earlier studies in cats and dogs shower Vero-IL2 to be beneficial in the treatment of spontaneously occurring tumors. More recently, two Phase I clinical trials completed in France and Switzerland have suggested some anti-tumor activity and demonstrated preliminary evidence of safety and tolerance to this therapy. In addition, the first Phase II trial with this product began in Spring 1998 in patients with malignant melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.

"The initiation of a second clinical trial for our Vero-IL2 product is a solid indication of the continued progress TRANSGENE is making in the clinic," said Bernard Gilly, President and Chief Executive Officer of TRANSGENE. "We are anxious to move this product along for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, as there is a large unmet medical need for patients suffering with this disease. With the beginning of this trial, TRANSGENE will have four ongoing Phase II gene therapy clinical trials for the treatment of several cancers."

TRANSGENE's objective is to use its Vero-IL2 or a second vector, Adenovirus-IL2, to encourage the human immune response to reject cancer cells, thus providing the potential for a less toxic alternative to current chemotherapy and radiation treatments of advanced cancers. Another direction in TRANSGENE's anti-cancer program is continuing efforts for the development of anti-cancer vaccines, where tumor specific antigens are produced by vaccinia viruses in an effort to boost the body's immune response.


TRANSGENE, based in Strasbourg, France, is an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene therapy technologies and products for the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases for which there is no cure or adequate therapy at present. Its proprietary technology platform includes adenoviral, vaccinia viral, retroviral, cellular and a range of synthetic vectors for gene delivery. Three of these vector families are currently in clinical development for several disease applications. TRANSGENE currently has four Phase II studies ongoing targeting a number of different cancers. TRANSGENE has two major partnering agreements with Schering-Plough and Human Genome Sciences.

Source: Transgène

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Transgene and AFM renew their gene therapy agreement

Strasbourg and Paris, November 25, 1998 — TRANSGENE and the "Association Française contre les Myopathies" (the "AFM") today announced the renewal of their agreement to accelerate the research and development of gene therapy treatments for neuromuscular diseases, particularly Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Under the agreement — which will expire on June 30, 2001, unless it is further extended — AFM is providing funding for a research program in an amount of 84 million French Francs (USD 14.7 million). Of this amount, 20 million French Francs (USD 3.5 million) will be loaned to TRANSGENE without interest and will be repayable upon the launch upon commercial lauch of a new therapy arising from the collaboration. TRANSGENE will contribute to the program its expertise and technology in the area of gene transfer, in particular its vector platform, and will continue its efforts in the development of a gene therapy for DMD.

TRANSGENE and AFM also expect to develop other gene therapies directed to the treatment of other neuromuscular and rare genetic diseases for which AFM has access to the rights on the genes of therapeutic interest. Under the agreement, TRANSGENE will be the exclusive development partner, with AFM reserving the right to develop gene therapies with third parties if TRANSGENE decides not to develop a gene therapy product for such diseases.

"The renewal of our collaboration with AFM testifies to the quality of our scientific team and technology" said Bernard Gilly, President and CEO of TRANSGENE. "It gives TRANSGENE additional resources to continue its efforts in the development of vectors, and especially to support the development of therapies for the treatment of muscular dystrophies. It also gives us an excellent opportunity to attack this very difficult scientific hurdle that the targeting of muscular cells represents."

"The successful development of gene therapy is dependent on an effective way to deliver therapeutic genes to specific target cells. TRANSGENE believes that its diversified vector platform could enable it to select a safe and efficient vector for the insertion of genes into muscles" Gilly added.


Since 1958, AFM has been organizing patients ailing from neuromuscular diseases and their families. In order to obtain sufficient means to stimulate genetic research in France, AFM launched the Telethon in 1987. Using the proceeds of the Telethon, AFM created Genethon in  1990, which produced, in 1992, the first maps of the human genome. This year, AFM launches "the Great Adventure" for the development of gene therapies, of which the agreement with TRANSGENE constitutes an essential part.

TRANSGENE, based in Strasbourg, France, is an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene therapy technologies and products for the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases for which there is no cure or adequate therapy at present. Its proprietary technology platform includes adenoviral, vaccinia viral, retroviral, cellular and a range of synthetic vectors for gene delivery. Three of these vector families are currently in clinical development for several disease applications. TRANSGENE currently has three Phase II studies ongoing targeting a number of different cancers. TRANSGENE has two major partnering agreements with Schering-Plough and Human Genome Sciences.

Source: Transgène

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Human Genome Sciences and Transgene sign Gene Therapy Agreement

Rockville (MD) and Strasbourg, France — March 2, 1998 — Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: HGSI) and TRANSGENE today announced that they have signed an agreement to accelerate the development of novel gene therapy drugs. This collaboration will combine HGSI's worldwide standing in genomics with TRANSGENE's broad technology platform of gene delivery systems.

The agreement covers a ten year program with HGSI and TRANSGENE working together to identify, from HGSI database, novel genes of potential interest for gene therapy. TRANSGENE will have the right to exclusively license, and sublicense, up to 10 genes and to develop, manufacture and commercialize any resulting gene therapy products worldwide. The two companies may also choose to co-develop and co-market the identified new gene therapy products, and, in such case, commercialization rights will be held by HGSI for North America and by TRANSGENE for Europe, and will be shared equally for the rest of the world's markets.

Under the terms and conditions of the agreement, HGSI will take a 10 percent interest in TRANSGENE's equity. TRANSGENE will pay an initial licensing fee and research funding in an amount equal to the proceeds to TRANSGENE from the HGSI purchase. Additional payments to HGSI are dependent upon the number of genes which TRANSGENE licenses and the accomplishment of certain milestones. Royalties on future product sales and partnering revenues will be paid by TRANSGENE to HGSI. On co-marketed products, HGSI and TRANSGENE will pay reciprocal royalties.

"We are very pleased to enter into a collaboration with TRANSGENE to develop novel gene delivery products said William A. Haseltine, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HGSI. We hope our combined efforts will open a second wave of gene therapy products for the treatment and possible cure of a wide variety of human diseases."

Since its founding, HGSI scientists have rapidly discovered human genes. At the current time, Company scientists believe that they have identified 95 percent of all human genes. In addition, the Company believes that it has full-length copies of approximately 70 to 80 percent of all expressed human genes. HGSI scientists are systematically reviewing several thousand novel genes to determine their medical utility. HGSI holds the rights to the genes it discovers.

"This collaboration will give TRANSGENE a tremendous opportunity to fill its future product pipeline and is another demonstration of the promise of its broad gene delivery platform said Bernard Gilly, President and Chief Executive Officer of TRANSGENE. We are delighted to team up with the premier genomics company, and strongly believe that based on the quality of both management teams and the mutual professional respect of the scientists, we can create a strong foundation to build upon the synergies between genomics and gene therapy."

Successful development of gene therapy products is dependent on two key elements: the identification of critical genes that provide a therapeutic function and an effective way to deliver and express these genes in specific target cells. TRANSGENE has developed a broad range of proprietary gene delivery systems designed to be used efficiently and safely in a number of specific applications.


Human Genome Sciences is a company whose mission is to develop products to predict, prevent, detect, treat and cure disease based on its leadership in the discovery and understanding of human and microbial genes. HGS and Human Genome Sciences are registered trademarks of Human Genome Sciences, Inc.

TRANSGENE, based in Strasbourg, France, is an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene therapy technologies and products for the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases for which there is no cure or adequate therapy at present. Its proprietary technology platform includes adenoviral, vaccinia viral, retroviral, cellular and a range of synthetic vectors for gene delivery. Three of these vector families are currently in clinical development for several disease applications. TRANSGENE expects its programs against melanoma and breast cancer to begin Phase II clinical trials in the first quarter of 1998. Additional disease targets for TRANSGENE's gene therapy delivery systems include cystic fibrosis (Phase I completed), muscular dystrophy and cardiovascular diseases.

Source: Transgène

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Transgene appoints Prof. Paul Berg and Mr. Steven Burrill to its Board of Directors

STRASBOURG, France, February 17, 1998 — TRANSGENE S.A. today announced that Dr. Paul Berg and Mr. G. Steven Burrill have joined the company's board as directors.

"We are naturally pleased and proud that Dr. Paul Berg and Mr. G. Steven Burrill are joining our board said Bernard Gilly, President and Chief Executive Officer of TRANSGENE. Being able to benefit from their outstanding experience in science and industry is very important for us, as our research and development programs are gathering momentum and we are looking to continue expansion of our international business relationships."

Dr. Paul Berg is currently the Cahill Professor in Cancer Research in the Department of Biochemistry at Stanford University and Director of the Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Research at the Stanford University School of Medicine. In 1980, Dr. Berg received the Albert Lasker Medical Research Award and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his studies of the biochemistry of nucleic acids, with a specific emphasis on recombinant DNA. In addition to his position as Director, Dr. Berg will also participate in meetings of TRANSGENE's Scientific Board.

Mr. G. Steven Burrill is Chief Executive Officer of Burrill & Company, a private merchant bank specializing on life science companies. Pior to founding Burrill & Company, Mr. Burrill spent 28 years at Ernst & Young, where he was International Chairman of their biotechnology and high technology group. He works with industry leaders around the world helping life science companies sustain their growth. He serves on the Board of Directors of a number of biotechnology companies as well as several scientific and biotechnology companies in the US and in Europe. In addition to his position as Director, Mr Burrill will chair the Audit Committee of TRANSGENE's Board.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Paul Berg said: I look forward to contributing to TRANSGENE's development. The company is making good progress in improving its technology platform for early clinical testing.

"Gene therapy is a rapidly evolving field, with great potential as it aims to correct the underlying genetic defects causing disease. As such, gene therapy has the potential to be applied to many diseases where conventional medicine has failed" added Mr. Burrill.

The Board of Directors of TRANSGENE has been chaired by Alain Mérieux since 1991. Mr. Mérieux is also the founder and Chairman of bioMérieux, one of the top ten in vitro diagnostic companies.


TRANSGENE, based in Strasbourg, France, is an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene therapy technologies and products for the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases for which there is no cure or adequate therapy at present. Its proprietary technology platform includes adenoviral, vaccinia viral, retroviral, cellular and a range of synthetic vectors for gene delivery. Three of these vector families are currently in clinical development for several disease applications. TRANSGENE expects its programs against melanoma and breast cancer to begin Phase II clinical trials in the first quarter of 1998. Additional disease targets for TRANSGENE's gene therapy delivery systems include cystic fibrosis (Phase I completed), muscular dystrophy and cardiovascular diseases.

Source: Transgène

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Schering-Plough and Transgene Collaborate on Gene Delivery Technology

MADISON, N.J., and STRASBOURG, France, February 4, 1998 — Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE:SGP) and TRANSGENE today anounced a research collaboration and licensing agreement covering the use of TRANSGENE's adenoviral gene delivery systems in conjunction with Schering-Plough's p53 tumor suppressor gene and several other Schering-Plough proprietary genes to develop gene therapy products.

Under the terms of the agreement, Schering-Plough receives rights to existing and future adenoviral gene technology developed by TRANSGENE in conjunction with the p53 gene. In addition, Schering-Plough has the option the license TRANSGENE's adenoviral gene delivery systems for up to five additional Schering-Plough genes.

Under this agreement, Schering-Plough has agreed to pay to TRANSGENE $ 8 million in initial licensing fees. If Schering-Plough exercises it option to utilise TRANSGENE's adenoviral delivery systems for all six genes over the next five years, total revenue to TRANSGENE could exceed $ 88 million in additional licensing fees, research funding and milestone payments. The agreement also provides for royalties on future product sales.

"This collaboration with Schering-Plough confirms the quality of TRANSGENE's research and the potential of its technology platform in the field of gene therapy" said Bernard Gilly, President and Chief Executive Officer of TRANSGENE. "In addition, it also demonstrates TRANSGENE's ability to leverage its gene delivery technologies for developing products based upon the proprietary genes of pharmaceutical companies."

Successful development of gene therapy is dependent on two key elements: the identification of key cellular genes that provide a missing biological function associated with a specific disease, and an effective way to deliver these genes to specific target cells. TRANSGENE believes that its improved adenoviral vectors may be particularly efficient in delivering genes to tumors, and therefore may be a more effective gene delivery system for gene such as the p53 gene that need to be expressed within tumor cells.

Schering-Plough initiated a clinical development program for its recombinant adenovirus encoding human p53 (rAd/p53) gene therapy in a Phase I non-small-cell lung cancer trial in 1996. Early Phase trials are ongoing to investigate intratumoral administration of rAd/p53 in head and neck cancer, and intraperitoneal administration of rAd/p53 in patients with liver malignancies. In this trial, evidence of gene expression in tumors by this systemic route has been seen despite pre-existing antibodies to the adenovirus.

Schering-Plough's p53 gene therapy program began in 1994 as a research collaboration with Canji, Inc., a leading developer of gene-related therapeutic products. Canji was acquired by Schering-Plough in February 1996 and now is Scring-Plough's Research Institute's center for gene therapy discovery.


TRANSGENE, based in Strasbourg, France, is an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of gene therapy technologies and products for the treatment of acquired or inherited diseases for which there is no cure or adequate therapy at present. Its proprietary technology platform includes adenoviral, vaccinia viral, retroviral, cellular and a range of synthetic vectors for gene delivery. Three of these vector families are currently in clinical development for several disease applications. TRANSGENE expects its programs against melanoma and breast cancer to begin Phase II clinical trials in the first quarter of 1998. Additional disease targets for TRANSGENE's gene therapy delivery systems include cystic fibrosis (Phase I completed), muscular dystrophy and cardiovascular diseases.

Schering-Plough Research Institute is the pharmaceutical research and development arm of Schering-Plough, a research-based company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical and health care products worldwide.

Source: Transgène

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