Polyplus-transfection launches "Polyplus in vivo Consortium" to speed development of gene therapy clinical trials

Innovative reagent specialist forms network of researchers and clinicians using Polyplus' synthetic gene transfer reagents Strasbourg, France, June 7, 2007 — Polyplus-transfection, a company specializing in research, development and marketing of innovative reagents for drug delivery, gene therapy and transfection announces today that it is setting up a group called the "Polyplus in vivo Consortium". This group will be developed on a user group model and bring together research scientists and clinicians in an international network of users of Polyplus-transfection's gene therapy reagents. Polyplus-transfection expects the new group to increase the number of clinical trials using its synthetic gene transfer reagents and accelerate their development.

The Polyplus in vivo Consortium aims at letting users of Polyplus-transfection's products and solutions share their experience to accelerate the implementation of clinical trials and give them access to Polyplus-transfection's latest technology. The company plans to organize regular meetings and workshops and will actively support the Polyplus in vivo Consortium members in their preclinical and clinical therapeutic projects. Members will benefit from personalized support, from Polyplus-transfection's expertise regarding in vivo delivery as well as preferential conditions for products used for therapeutic development. Among other services, Polyplus-transfection will supply appropriate certificates of analysis for preclinical and toxicology studies.

Polyplus-transfection's in vivo-jetPEI compound will play a key role in the Consortium. It is derived from the synthetic molecule polyethylenimine (PEI) for which Polyplus-transfection holds the exclusive worldwide license for the transfection of nucleic acids. In vivo-jetPEI is widely used for in vivo experiments. It allows intracellular delivery of nucleic acids and has become a benchmark in gene delivery.

"The Polyplus in vivo Consortium will make research and development of gene therapy applications easier," said Joëlle Bloch, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. "The project meets a real need that was revealed by the first clinical research teams using our products. It will allow Polyplus-transfection to build a true network where users of our transfection reagents can exchange know-how and experience. This network will help our customers get their clinical trials under way and also help Polyplus-transfection develop solutions that suit users' needs."


About Polyplus-transfection

Polyplus-transfection researches, develops and markets products for drug delivery, gene therapy and innovative transfection reagents. Transfection consists of introducing a gene or a small interfering RNA into a cell. This technique makes it possible to cross the cellular barriers and deliver such biomolecules into the cell for scientific or therapeutic purposes. Customers for Polyplus-transfection's products and services include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as well as life science research laboratories.

In addition to transfection reagents for research, Polyplus-transfection offers high quality consultancy and personalized scientific support. The company has acquired expertise in regulatory affairs related to the use of its reagents for gene delivery in clinical trials.

The Strasbourg-based company has 20 members of staff, an international distribution network and numerous academic and industrial partnerships. Polyplus-transfection is one of the technology leaders in the transfection market with ISO 9001:2000 certification, three exclusive licenses from the CNRS and six patents filed.

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


Source: Polyplus-transfection

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Clinical Data’s Cogenics Division Launches Services on Schedule

NEWTON, Mass. — June 6, 2007 — Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA) announced today that its Cogenics division has successfully launched the 454 Genome Sequencer FLX system (the "454 FLX system") at its facility in Meylan, France, some eight weeks after the signing of the co-marketing agreement with Roche Diagnostics Inc., to offer "next generation" sequencing services. The system enhances Cogenics’ portfolio of services by providing whole genome sequencing, Expressed Sequence Tag sequencing, identification of small RNAs, transcriptome analysis, and metagenomics on the new platform.

"Our team is enthusiastic about the level of customer interest in the 454 FLX system and pleased to be able to meet our customers’ growing needs by providing complete solutions for low-cost and high-efficiency sequencing programs," stated Robert Bondaryk, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cogenics. "We have already attracted new customers for the first projects on the platform and we have a strong pipeline of current and new customer interest in 454 FLX sequencing as a companion to traditional automated Sanger sequencing."

"I am truly excited about the speed and professionalism with which our team installed the 454 technology. This represents another example of Cogenics’ strong technical abilities and commitment to leveraging proven advances in technology and quality for its clients," stated Drew Fromkin, Clinical Data’s President and CEO. "We feel that the platform’s ability to deliver value to our clients will translate into rapid, healthy returns for Cogenics."

For more information about Cogenics’ offering of the 454 FLX system, as well as its other genomic resources and services, please contact Laure Turner, Product Manager for Sequencing, at +1-314-303-9147, or Claire Vigneron, Cogenics’ European Marketing Manager, at +33 (0)4 56 38 11 03. For more information about Clinical Data, visit the company’s website at www.clda.com.


About Cogenics (www.cogenics.com)

Cogenics offers more than 18 years of experience as a trusted provider of the broadest range of pharmacogenomics and molecular biology services available globally. Cogenics provides integrated services for nucleic acid extraction, genotyping, sequencing, QPCR, and gene expression, as well as serving as a biorepository, for both research and regulated environments: GLP, cGMP and CLIA. Cogenics combines operations from the acquisitions of Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, Lark Technologies (US & UK), Icoria, and Genome Express (France). Its customers include some of the world’s most respected pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, agencies of the US National Institutes of Health, leading government and academic researchers in the international life science community, and major agricultural companies and agencies.

About Clinical Data, Inc. (www.clda.com)

Clinical Data, Inc. is a global biotechnology company unlocking the potential of molecular discovery, from targeted science to better healthcare. Its Cogenics division provides molecular biology and pharmacogenomics services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies and academics institutions in both research and regulated environments. Its PGxHealth division focuses on genetic test and biomarker development to help predict drug safety and efficacy, thereby reducing health care costs and improving clinical outcomes. Its Vital Diagnostics division offers in vitro diagnostics solutions for the clinical laboratory. Through these divisions, Clinical Data is leveraging advances in molecular discovery to provide tangible benefits for patients, doctors, scientists, and health plans worldwide.

Source: Cogenics

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Jean-Michel Alarcon is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Minakem SAS as of June 1st, 2007

Jean-Michel Alarcon is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Minakem SAS as of June 1st, 2007. He will be as well in charge of the Corporate development of Group Minakem, and will be a member of the Group’s General Management Committee.

Chartered chemical engineer, graduated from IMD (Lausanne-CH) in economics and management, Jean-Michel Alarcon joined Hoechst in 1986. He was first assigned to the process development unit in Lamotte factory, before being promoted R&D Director in 1996. In 2002, he was nominated "Global Business Director Glyoxal Derivatives" for Clariant, and Life Sciences Division Director of the French subsidiary. He had been in charge of "Specialty Intermediates" since 2005, one of the 27 Clariant business units, with responsibility for 3 manufacturing plants, Lamotte (France), Gainesville (USA), and Roha (India). He had been as well President of Clariant Specialty Fine Chemicals (France) since 2006.

The members of the Group’s General Management Committee are Frédéric Gauchet: President, Jean-Michel Alarcon: CEO of Minakem and Director of Corporate development, Jean Pierre Diehl: CEO of Minasolve (Building Blocks) and Project Manager for China, Karsten Fischer: CEO of Chemtec, Philippe Guerret : CFO, Michael Staff : President of Minakem USA and Business Development North-America, and Pierre Dedenys : Project Manager and Committee’s Secretary.


About Minakem Group:

MINAKEM is a "one-stop-shop" group serving the life-science industries, namely, the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The companies focus on the synthesis of the tailor-made molecules, their formulation, their dose-forming and the production of the registration dossiers for approval of the manufacturing processes.

For more information visit www.minakem.com or www.chemtec-leuna.de

Source: Minakem

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BT PHARMA successfully closes €1.3 million bridging round

Bridging funds to move candidate therapeutic vaccine up to phase I / II clinical trials for treatment of patients suffering from high-grade lesions provoked by Human Papillomavirus.

Toulouse, France — Monday, May 28th 2007.BT PHARMA is pleased to announce that it has successfully closed on €1.3 million in new investment from current shareholders and a new private investor. This bridging round will enable the Company to move its candidate therapeutic vaccine through preclinical development and up to phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of high-grade neoplasia provoked by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Dr. Benedikt Timmerman, Chief Executive comments: "This investment allows BT PHARMA to take lead candidate ProCervix^® through the entire preclinical phase and up to the next key milestone: placebo-controlled clinical trials in women bearing CIN II / CIN III lesions. We have spared no effort to render GMP production and protein purification processes of our bivalent product robust and to pharmaceutical grade. Our placebo-controlled trial is planned for the 1st trimester of 2008. The awareness of the medical need to treat infection, neoplasia and cancer provoked by Human Papillomavirus by other means than surgery has come to age. It coincides well with our clinical timelines and may allow BT PHARMA to be one of few key players in this exciting new market."

ProCervix^® exploits the unique characteristics of the Adenylate Cyclase vector (CyaA) that targets tumour cell-specific antigens to antigen-presenting cells in patients in vivo and induces strong and specific cellular immune responses. This bivalent therapeutic vaccine targets cervical neoplasia and cancer provoked by HPV16 and HPV18. ProCervix^® aims to replace ablative surgery or conisation in millions of women already infected by HPV and at risk for invasive cervical cancer. The CyaA technology was exclusively licensed from the Institut Pasteur, with whom BT PHARMA has a strategic alliance. The CyaA technology, which has unique immune cell-targeting features, has since been industrialized and the patent estate broadened by newly filed proprietary patents, which cover pipeline products such as ProCervix^®.


About BT PHARMA S.A.

BT PHARMA is a privately held biopharmaceutical company incorporated in October 2001 and spun out of the Institut Pasteur in October 2002. The company headquarters and laboratories are currently based in Labège (Toulouse) France. The company strives to improve the well-being of people through the development of therapeutic vaccines for infection, dysplasia and cancer provoked by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).


Source: BT Pharma

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Polyplus-transfection obtains an AFM grant for the development of its gene/drug delivery tool for clinical applications

Strasbourg, France, May 14, 2007 — Polyplus-transfection, a company specialized in research, development and marketing of innovative reagents for drug delivery, gene therapy and transfection, announces today that it has obtained a EUR 80,000 grant from AFM (Association Française contre les Myopathies), France’s Muscular Dystrophy Association. The grant will finance the cGMP (current good manufacturing practices) compliant production process of its in vivo-jetPEITM reagent, thus enabling its use in gene therapy.

Polyplus-transfection believes this upgrade to the cGMP production process will accelerate the use of in vivo-jetPEI^TM in gene therapy clinical trials in humans. The funding also covers the development of new quality control procedures as well as stability studies.

In vivo-jetPEI^TM is a synthetic molecule, polyethylenimine (PEI). PEI is a cationic linear polymer recognized as being the most effective reagent on the market for in vivo delivery of nucleic acids. With in vivo-jetPEI^TM, Polyplus-transfection offers clinicians an alternative technology for gene therapy to the commonly used viral approach using deactivated viruses. In vivo-jetPEI^TM is easy to use and does not trigger an immune response, a huge advantage compared to viruses which are very immunogenic and do not allow repeated use.

"Today Polyplus-transfection offers the only solution on the market to deliver genetic material using a synthetic molecule instead of a virus," said Joëlle Bloch, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. "With the help of the AFM funding for the development of a cGMP production process, in vivo-jetPEI^TM will be available to customers for use in clinical trials. This new gene/drug delivery tool represents a new hope for patients."

"At Polyplus-transfection we believe that this new process will accelerate our growth as well as demonstrate our expertise in the field of gene delivery, offering a serious alterative to viral approaches and emphasize the strength of our reagents for in vivo assays."


About Polyplus-transfection

Polyplus-transfection researches, develops and markets products for drug delivery, gene therapy and innovative transfection reagents. Transfection consists of introducing a gene or a small interfering RNA into a cell. This technique makes it possible to cross the cellular barriers and deliver such biomolecules into the cell for scientific or therapeutic purposes. Customers for Polyplus-transfection’s products and services include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as well as life science research laboratories.

In addition to transfection reagents for research, Polyplus-transfection offers high quality consultancy and personalized scientific support. The company has acquired expertise in regulatory affairs related to the use of its reagents for the delivery of gene candidates in clinical trials.

The Strasbourg-based company has a 20 members of staff, an international distribution network and numerous academic and industrial partnerships. Polyplus-transfection is one of the technology leaders in the transfection market with ISO 9001:2000 certification, three exclusive licenses from the CNRS and six patents filed.

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


Source: Polyplus-transfection

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LibraGen launches its first family of active products obtained by enzymatic transformation of natural substances

Biocatalysis technology provides new way to produce active cosmetic, nutritional and therapeutic molecules

Toulouse, France, April 12, 2007 — LibraGen, specialist in the discovery and production of molecules for the healthcare, fine chemicals and cosmetics industry, announces today the availability of its first family of unique active products obtained through a patented enzymatic process.

The launch of this new range marks a significant step forward for LibraGen as an industry player in its own right for the design and production by biocatalysis of innovative high value-added molecules.

Using its proprietary technology platform, LibraGen has designed an exclusive enzymatic production process to allow the use of naturally derived active molecules which have hitherto proved difficult to exploit because of their physical and chemical properties. This first family of original products is aimed at the cosmetic manufacturers, pharmaceutical industry, and those in the nutrition sector.

This LibraGen's process transforms the raw materials into water-soluble active molecules. These are chemically more stable and have an improved biological availability thus opening up new opportunities to use the compounds for therapeutic, dermo-cosmetic and nutritional applications. This first series of compounds covers a wide and diverse range of biological structures and activities belonging to the polyphenols family.

"The market availability of this first collection of pioneering products is the result of LibraGen’s know-how in the development of new enzymatic reactions and the implementation of biocatalytic production processes," said Renaud Nalin, CEO at LibraGen. "This new range gives a glimpse of the potential we have with our technology and production capabilities as they are all applicable to other active ingredients. Some of our biosynthesized products have already been marketed on a large scale by our customers, and other dedicated product ranges are being produced for marketing in the future by major players in the field of natural products.


About LibraGen

LibraGen, Toulouse, France, specializes in the development of bioprocesses for the production of healthcare molecules and the discovery of new chemical scaffolds with cross-industry applications. By focusing on untapped biodiversity, the company has developed a platform of proven proprietary technologies to identify, validate and produce high added-value enzymes and molecules for industrial, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic and environmental applications. The overall combination of LibraGen’s scientific and production know-how, technology platform and research results has already achieved a number of successful partnerships in research and production in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and fine chemistry. In parallel with these partnerships with leading pharma companies, LibraGen’s internal research is building up a pipeline of new active molecules with anti-infectious and anti-cancer applications. For more information, visit www.libragen.com


Source: LibraGen

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Newcomer Minakem is banking on opportunities in the market for contract APIs

The first tentative claims of a possible rebound in the business of contract-manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) were only starting to be heard last year when Minakem made its move. The company, established expressly to enter the business by its chief executive officer, Frédéric Gauchet, and other investors, acquired the SEAC contract manufacturing assets of NuPharm in Beuvry-la-Forêt, France, for $29 million.

This summer, Minakem made a second investment, buying Chemtec Leuna at the former East German Leuna Works. The business was purchased for an undisclosed sum from Schenectady International, yet another diversified chemical company opting to slough off a small, noncore contract manufacturing operation.

Small is a good thing, Gauchet says, but service orientation is even more important. Gauchet says the trick to succeeding in this business is to concentrate on supporting clients' efforts in developing and commercializing new drugs without attempting to garner intellectual property. And Gauchet believes Minakem can succeed.

"I know it's not the general opinion, but for a small business I think there are growth opportunities," Gauchet says. With annual sales of $69 million, Minakem is preparing to take on what Gauchet sees as the kind of cradle-to-grave manufacturing package that both large and small drug companies most want to outsource.

According to Gauchet, drug companies are focusing on optimizing internal resources at a time when pipelines are filling up. Most firms have several projects at various stages, and the chemistry is becoming increasingly sophisticated, he says. "Our business model is to take care of the overflow of needs that our customers have when they get involved in several molecules," Gauchet says. "They need us. But what we have to do is perform a service that is at least at the same level as the ones they have internally."

This means taking a life-cycle project management approach. Minakem is not, like some firms in the sector these days, shifting its focus to early-stage synthesis, Gauchet says. "We are not a lab company—we don't do grams for money," he says. "When we work on a project, we do it with the idea that there will be an industrial process at the end of the job."

Yet, Michael Staff, president of Minakem LLC, the company's North American marketing subsidiary in Saddle Brook, N.J., says this approach requires the company to have expertise ranging from gram production to commercial scale-up. "It is our objective to fill reactors," he says, "and to do this, we need the nursery of projects at the early stage."

Staff emphasizes the importance of relationship building at the early stage of drug intermediate or API synthesis. "The sample does not leave our site until we have a process that's ready to be implanted into our pilot plant," he says. "Once the customer gets a sample, it's a commitment from us to move it forward."

This approach may take longer than producing lab-scale samples without regard for the larger scale chemistry needed for clinical trial production and beyond, but it's worth the extra time for Minakem, Staff says. The idea is for existing customers to see a fit for Minakem's life-cycle development approach when they embark on new projects.

Gauchet says drug companies are quite amenable to the idea of contract manufacturing firms taking this long view. "The customer is spending $1 million a day when it gets to clinical trials," he says. Putting off process development could lead to changes in purity profiles when clinical trials start, which delays Food & Drug Administration filing.

Gauchet estimates that 80% of Minakem's business is with major pharmaceutical companies, down from nearly 100% at SEAC when Minakem bought the plant. "Because we are very active in the American market, emerging pharma and biotech are taking a larger percentage," he says.

This shift has intensified the need to cater chemistry precisely to customer needs. Large drug companies only contract a small part of their business to firms such as Minakem, but emerging companies and biopharmaceutical start-ups with one or two projects in development are making a much larger commitment. "When you help them," Gauchet says, "you have to make sure you really can do the chemistry."

Gauchet says Minakem is constantly recruiting Ph.D. chemists. "We have become very diversified and have remained up-to-date in our chemical capacities," he says. "And we have a catalog business, which is exactly what we need in order to show our technical capacity to our customers. Especially the new customers." Minakem lists phosgene, epichlorohydrin, and strained small-ring chemistry such as cyclopropyl and cyclobutyl among its chemical specialties.

Minakem saw a need to beef up its large-scale production capabilities early this year, Gauchet says. With the former SEAC plant geared more toward prelaunch custom synthesis, the company needed to add capacity to manufacture building blocks and facilitate replicable commercial-scale production. Gauchet says Chemtec Leuna seemed like an ideal opportunity, given its seven large-scale production lines (three with FDA current Good Manufacturing Practice certification); its fixed-bed hydrogenation reactors; and its capacity for handling difficult chemistry such as phosgene, ammonia, chlorine, and phosphorus pentachloride.

Gauchet also liked Chemtech Leuna's location and its chemistry. "They do a lot of protective agents, especially for amino acids," he says. "It's one of the tools you need to master custom synthesis."

But even with the Chemtec Leuna acquisition, Minakem needs to further scale-up its operations, Gauchet says. The company is currently investing about 10% of sales in expanding its pilot plants in France and Germany. It is also expanding its R&D capabilities at Beuvry-la-Forêt and its commercial-scale production at Leuna.

Gauchet is gauging the need for yet more capacity from the growth in business it has experienced over the past year. "I can't say it's the market coming back, because we are a small player," he says. "But we had significant developments in 2005 and 2006."

Peter Pollak, an independent industry analyst, agrees. "I would not conclude from Minakem's experience that Europe is on a buying spree in regard to fine chemicals," Pollak says. He adds, however, that the Chemtec Leuna purchase can be viewed as a reasonable bet on Minakem's part. "Chemtec Leuna is a large Eastern European producer, probably with a lot of intelligent people," he says. "Minakem has carved out for itself a part of the fine chemicals market that is in pretty good shape."

Gauchet acknowledges the risk of doing business in contract fine chemicals, especially in Europe, given the crowded field of competitors zeroing in on the pharma pipeline. But he says his focus is not on the competition. "We don't pay attention to what our competitors are doing in order to see what we should do," Gauchet says. "We listen to our customers to see that we have everything in place to meet their expectations."

Rick Mullin

Chemical & Engineering News
ISSN 0009-2347
Copyright © 2006 American Chemical Society


Source: Minakem

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LibraGen and Sanofi-Aventis sign research partnership to identify new candidate molecules for treatment of infectious diseases and cancer

Pharmaceutical group will use LibraGen’s innovative technology in field of non-cultivable microorganisms Toulouse, France, October 25, 2006 — LibraGen, a bacterial diversity-based process and discovery specialist, announces today it has signed a partnership agreement with sanofi-aventis covering the use of LibraGen’s know-how in microbial biodiversity. The goal of this collaboration is the discovery of new chemical structures derived from non-cultivable microorganisms.

The global partnership is split into two phases, the first of which is a pilot. If successful, this may give rise to a long term collaboration between LibraGen and sanofi-aventis. The two companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement which are based on milestones fees and royalties.

Initially, LibraGen will transfer to sanofi-aventis laboratory-extracted samples of existing non-cultivable microorganisms. Sanofi-aventis will add these to its chemical library and thus access new unique compounds, produced under a reproducible process using LibraGen technology. Depending on their biological activity, these compounds may be selected either for optimization of their chemical structure via synthesis so as to enhance their properties, or for direct pharmaceutical development.

"We finalized this partnership after a lengthy due-diligence procedure by sanofi-aventis to check out LibraGen’s know-how and the quality of our technology," said Renaud Nalin, CEO of LibraGen. "This contract strengthens LibraGen’s position on the market and provides recognition of our know-how in identifying new active molecules and in producing high value-added molecules."

"LibraGen’s technology allows us to build up our supply strategy for natural substances by giving us access to sources of new molecules that have been hitherto inaccessible," said Jean-Pierre Maffrand, director of discovery research at sanofi-aventis. "These molecules could well be essential for our research programs for new medicines."

A successful pilot phase will trigger a long term collaboration in which LibraGen will supply a large number of active extracts that have been qualified on antiinfectious or antiproliferative targets.

Sanofi-aventis will have the right to acquire and/or develop any of these molecules in return for the payment of milestones and royalties to LibraGen. The pharmaceutical group also holds exclusivity on part of the collection of original active extracts from LibraGen.


About LibraGen

LibraGen, Toulouse, France, specializes in the development of bioprocesses for the production of healthcare molecules and the discovery of new chemical scaffolds with cross-industry applications. By focusing on untapped biodiversity, the company has developed a platform of proven proprietary technologies to identify, validate and produce high added-value enzymes and molecules for industrial, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic and environmental applications. The overall combination of LibraGen’s scientific and production know-how, technology platform and research results has already achieved a number of successful partnerships in research and production in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and fine chemistry. In parallel with these partnerships with leading pharma companies, LibraGen’s internal research is building up a pipeline of new active molecules with anti-infectious and anti-cancer applications. For more information, visit www.libragen.com.

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis is the world’s third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
For more information, visit www.sanofi-aventis.com.


Source: LibraGen

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LibraGen extends partnership with Yves ROCHER in the biocatalityc production of dermocosmetic compounds

LibraGen moves into skin care, uses know-how in compound synthesis via biocatalysis to boost production of an active plant ingredient at Yves Rocher Toulouse, France, 6 July 2006 — LibraGen, a bacterial diversity-based process and discovery specialist, announces today it has extended its partnership with Yves Rocher into a new area. The new area involves the optimization of production bioprocesses using enzymes in the presence of natural solvents and the delivery of the first batches of this active ingredient.

The agreement follows the successful conclusion of the first project carried out for Yves Rocher which involved the optimization of the biocatalytic synthesis of the same active plant ingredient. LibraGen’s first collaboration with Yves Rocher resulted in a significant improvement in the space of a few months in the enzymatic synthesis reaction of an active plant ingredient, giving a 50-fold increase in concentration. The plant-based product using this biological procedure for which Yves Rocher holds the patent is expected to be highly effective and able to be directly incorporated in Yves Rocher’s skin care products. The new process that LibraGen has now delivered moves the collaboration forward to allow mass production of the bioactivated natural plant molecule.

"Our successful partnership shows once again LibraGen’s ability to set up innovative synthesis processes very fast, as well as our know-how in applied biocatalysis in research, development and industrial use," said Renaud Nalin, CEO of LibraGen. "The fact that Yves Rocher is extending its collaboration and doing new research with us shows the industrial potential of this new bioconversion process for the plant compound."

"This partnership is in line with Yves Rocher’s strategy of continuous innovation in the development of new natural products on the plant cosmetics market so as better to respond to its clients’ expectations in our future cosmetic ranges," said Claude Fromageot, Scientific Director at Yves Rocher. "LibraGen will now use its know-how to use biological conversion to produce the active plant ingredient in an ecological manner which respects the environment."


About LibraGen

LibraGen, Toulouse, France, specializes in the development of bioprocesses for the production of healthcare molecules and the discovery of new chemical scaffolds with cross-industry applications. By focusing on untapped biodiversity, the company has developed a platform of proven proprietary technologies to identify, validate and produce high added-value enzymes and molecules for industrial, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic and environmental applications. The overall combination of LibraGen’s scientific and production know-how, technology platform and research results has already achieved a number of successful partnerships in research and production in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and fine chemistry. In parallel with these partnerships with leading pharma companies, LibraGen’s internal research is building up a pipeline of new active molecules with anti-infectious and anti-cancer applications.
For more information, visit www.libragen.com.

About Yves-Rocher Laboratories

Yves Rocher’s 150 scientists work daily to explore how plant-based substances can contribute to skin care. These scientists bring a multitude of disciplines to bear on the challenge. The team includes botanists, biologists, phytochemists, histologists, pharmacists and dermatologists, all of whom work together in an environment where creativity and scientific curiosity are encouraged. They work with other scientists at international level, present and publish their work regularly, and form partnerships with many research labs and innovative companies.

Forty years’ know-how, innovation and results mean that Yves Rocher is number one brand worldwide for plant-based cosmetics. With more than 50 families of patent filed and 30 million customers in 90 countries, Yves Rocher is also the leading brand of beauty salons in France. The Plant Biology Laboratories of Yves Rocher are committed to bring together plant resources, scientific advances and respect for nature.

Yves Rocher in figures: 298 million products sold worldwide, 30 million customers, 1,500 beauty centers, EUR 1.2 billion sales in 2005.

For more information: www.yves-rocher.com.


Source: LibraGen

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BT PHARMA and Midi-Pyrénées Regional Council support

BT PHARMA was granted a € 460 000 risk and interest free loan from the Midi-Pyrenees Regional Council to support its ProCervix® cervical cancer programme

Labège, France — March 28, 2006. BT PHARMA, an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapeutic vaccines in cancers, announced today that it received a zero interest financial aid of €460,000 from the Midi-Pyrenees Regional Council that is only reimbursable in case of success, for the development of its lead therapeutic vaccine candidate, Procervix^®, for the treatment of cervical precancerous lesions in patients known to be at high risk of developing cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer and its associated-dysplasia are a major healthcare problem and are the result of infection by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease world-wide. In the US and Europe, more than 60 million women are infected and about 1 million of these develop precancerous cervical lesions each year. Despite extensive screening programmes focused on early detection, 35,000 women still die from cervical cancer in the US and Europe annually.

ProCervix^® is scheduled to receive approval for Phase I/II clinical trials before the end of 2007. ProCervix^® is based on BT PHARMA’s unique CyaA vector system which is able to deliver the appropriate HPV antigens needed to induce strong and specific T-cell responses. ProCervix^® is the only bivalent therapeutic vaccine being developed which targets two of the most common HPV strains infecting women, HPV16 and HPV18. These two genotypes account for 70% of all cervical cancers.

Benedikt Timmerman, CEO of BT PHARMA, commented: "We are delighted to receive this grant from the Midi-Pyrenees regional council as it will help us move our cervical cancer vaccines programme toward the clinic. BT PHARMA is one of only a handful companies in the world focused on providing therapeutic vaccine solutions to women affected with HPV-associated precancerous lesions. I am confident that when approved, our Procervix^® vaccine will provide a safe and convenient solution to this important unmet medical need."


About BT PHARMA

BT PHARMA is an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapeutic vaccines for the treatment cervical cancer provoked by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

The company’s lead vaccine candidate, ProCervix^®, a HPV-therapeutic vaccine targeting cervical precancerous lesions, is scheduled to receive approval for Phase I/II clinical trial before the end of 2007. BT PHARMA plans to develop ProCervix^® to proof of concept stage. ProCervix^® is based on BT PHARMA’s unique CyaA vector system which is able to deliver the appropriate HPV-antigens needed to induce strong and specific T-cell responses.

In addition, BT PHARMA has a number of other therapeutic vaccine development programmes based on its CyaA vector system. These include TAAVac, for Tumour Associated Antigen Vaccine for a range of human cancers, and DOGTAA which targets various cancers in companion animals.

The company also has a second vaccine vector called PepTel^® which has unique intrinsic adjuvant ability. This promising technology platform is available for licensing.

BT PHARMA started operations in October 2002 following its spin off from the Institut Pasteur. The company is headquartered in state-of-the-art facilities in Labège (Toulouse), France and employs 13 people.

About Midi-Pyrenees Regional Council

In February 2006, the « Région Midi-pyrénées » established a new economic policy. This new policy which is a "first" for France is based on supporting companies on a "multi-year" basis by providing support on a project and contract basis. These support contracts include a timeframe and are designed to provide a flexible tailored counsel to companies. In 2007, the "Région Midi-pyrénées" budget for economic development amounted to € 42 million, of which €17 million was directed specifically support SMEs. At the same time, the Region has increased its "research" budget for 2007 by 72%, this follows an increase of 46% in 2006. These research funds have been set up to promote the link between SMEs and academic laboratories.

The « Région Midi-pyrénées » supports also the "Cancéropôle Grand Sud-Ouest" and the "Cancéropôle" of Toulouse and has signed a protocol agreement with the "Association pour la Recherche contre le Cancer" (ARC) in 2006. This four year partnership has the objective of developing the optimal way of developing medical and biological research in the filed of cancer in the Midi-Pyrénées area.

For more information, please, see following website: www.midipyrenees.fr


Source: BT Pharma

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Clinical Data Acquires Genome Express to Enhance European Expansion

Acquisition Strengthens Clinical Data's Global Leadership Position in the Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Services Markets Broadens European Footprint for Cogenics and PGxHealth and Provides Significantly Enhanced Base of Operations for Strategic Growth in the Region

NEWTON, Mass. — March 7, 2006 — Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA), a worldwide leader in providing comprehensive molecular and pharmacogenomics services as well as clinical diagnostics to improve patient care, announced today that it has purchased GENOME express^TM, a leading French genomics services company based in the Rhône-Alpes region of France with headquarters in Meylan, France.

Under terms of the Agreement, GENOME express shareholders received total consideration of €2.65 million euros (approximately $3.16 million). Of this amount, €200,000 euros (approximately $238,000) is being paid in cash and the remainder is being paid through the issuance of 123,179 shares of Clinical Data common stock. In connection with the transaction, Clinical Data has agreed to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission to register the shares issued in the transaction. Accordingly, this press release does not and will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Clinical Data. GENOME express retained Bioscience Managers Limited as their exclusive advisor for the transaction.

Clinical Data President and CEO Israel M. Stein, M.D., said, "GENOME express is a leading genomics services company. In France, GENOME express is unsurpassed in the scope and breadth of its platform and its capacity for proprietary genomics, transcription, and proteomics analysis as well as its biocomputing backbone. The company has substantial operations and a strong track record of providing value to European and international pharmaceutical companies and biotechs. The services offered by GENOME express are very complementary and additive to those currently being provided by Clinical Data's Cogenics^TM division. This transaction should also be accretive to earnings over the relatively near term."

"From both a financial and product perspective, and in terms of GENOME express’ geographic reach and client base of over 2000 active customers, this acquisition provides Clinical Data with an ideal opportunity to support additional European initiatives. Expansion beyond our present U.K. operations, where we already have a substantial presence, and into Europe by leveraging GENOME express assets and capabilities, provides the core strategic rationale for this transaction."

GENOME express CEO Warren Barton, said, "We welcome the opportunity to become a part of Clinical Data. We see this transaction as the initial phase of a strategic opportunity to jointly capitalize on the huge growth potential in genomics and related services in Europe. As a combined company, we anticipate building a substantial competitive advantage driven by the ability to offer the most comprehensive suite of genomics services to clients."


About GENOME express (www.genome-express.com)
In business since 1994, GENOME express specializes in DNA analysis for customers in human and animal healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agri-food and academic research. DNA contains the genetic code of living species and contains the key to understanding living organisms. GENOME express offers a team of experts, proprietary technologies, and an optimized process that together form a unique molecular biology and bioinformatics platform.

Using its DNA sequencing core business expertise, GENOME express has developed services and high value added solutions that allow its customers to interpret the data generated quickly and efficiently.

Analysis and identification services include:
— DNA sequencing
— Food ingredient specification
— Bacterial identification

GENOME express also offers custom solutions including an R&D outsourcing facility covering many areas of molecular biology, such as genomic exploration and identification of new markers.

To assist customers in conforming to European regulatory directives, GENOME express provides a range of services dedicated to identifying the content and origin of food through DNA analysis. These services include the detection of allergens or biological contaminants and address the needs of large-scale distribution chains and the agri-food industry. GENOME express is also the exclusive Applied Biosystems Advanced Gene Expression Service Provider, under this program, for France.

About Clinical Data, Inc. (www.clda.com)
Clinical Data, Inc. is a worldwide leader in providing comprehensive molecular and pharmacogenomics services as well as clinical diagnostics to improve patient care. Clinical Data’s Therapeutic Diagnostics^TM division, PGxHealth, builds upon existing assets acquired from Genaissance Pharmaceuticals in the areas of genomics-based, clinical diagnostics, therapeutic efficacy and safety biomarker development for drug utilization. PGxHealth plans to develop and introduce novel Therapeutic Diagnostics in combination with new and existing therapeutics. Clinical Data’s Pharmacogenomics and Molecular ServicesTM division, Cogenics, consolidates the operations of Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lark Technologies, Inc. and Icoria, Inc., each acquired during 2005. Cogenics provides a comprehensive range of molecular and pharmacogenomics services to pharmaceutical, biotech, academia, agricultural, and government clients. These services are offered in both research and regulated environments and have applications across the lifecycle of pharmaceutical product development, including pharmacovigilance requirements post launch. Clinical Data’s Vital Diagnostics division consolidates the operations of Clinical Data Sales & Service, Inc., Vital Scientific NV, Vital Diagnostics Pty. Ltd., and Electa Lab s.r.l. This division serves the clinical laboratory in the traditional in-vitro diagnostics market worldwide with a focus on the physician's office, hospital and small-to-medium sized laboratory segments. With customers in approximately 100 countries, Vital Diagnostics has achieved a leading market share for instruments and reagents sold into moderately complex physicians’ office laboratories within the United States.

Source: Cogenics

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Minakem and LibraGen form Strategic Alliance in Biocatalysis and Fine Chemicals Production

Close integration of biocatalysis and chemical manufacturing know-how will deliver more cost-effective leading-edge processes Toulouse, France, November 2nd, 2005 — Minakem, a leading manufacturer of fine chemicals for pharmaceutical companies, and LibraGen, a bacterial diversity-based process and discovery specialist, have entered into a strategic partnership to give their customers access to a more comprehensive range of services and products. By jointly deploying their marketing and technical resources, the two companies will be able to deliver significantly more cost-effective services and products to customers in many projects where there are synergies between fine chemicals production and biocatalysis.

LibraGen will use its proprietary META-DNA^TM technology platform and know-how in applied biocatalysis to generate new biosynthesis routes that will be transferred to Minakem's cGMP compliant facilities for manufacturing.

"We are pleased to establish this partnership with LibraGen and provide additional technology opportunities to our customers, giving them direct access to chiral biocatalysis and Green Chemistry," said Pierre Charrier, Business Development Director at Minakem. "Minakem and LibraGen teams will together design innovative and efficient synthesis routes by combining LibraGen's unique skills in applied biocatalysis, and Minakem's renowned expertise in chemical process development and FDA-approved chemical production facilities. The joint operation will allow a very rapid implementation of the best performing production solutions. These will provide an excellent response to our customers' budgetary and timeline requirements."

"This alliance will bring LibraGen additional openings for providing its services to the fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry," said Dr. Renaud Nalin, Chief Executive Officer at LibraGen. "It is a great opportunity to provide pragmatic biocatalytic processes which, when combined with Minakem's chemistry and production capabilities, offer integrated solutions for the definition and the implementation of the best industrial production processes. We will deploy all the technology available on our biocatalysis platform in these joint projects. This includes enzyme discovery, optimization and applied biocatalysis. We are looking forward to extending our market share through this alliance."


About LibraGen: http://www.libragen.com
LibraGen, Toulouse, France, specializes in the development of bioprocesses for the production of healthcare molecules and the discovery of new chemical scaffolds with cross-industry applications. By focusing on untapped biodiversity, the company has developed a platform of proven proprietary technologies to identify, validate and produce high added-value enzymes and molecules for industrial, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic and environmental applications. The overall combination of LibraGen's scientific and production know-how, technology platform and research results has already achieved a number of successful partnerships in research and production in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and fine chemistry.

About Minakem: www.minakem.com
MINAKEM offers a wide experience in Process and Analytical Method Development of complex multi-step syntheses, high quality starting materials, intermediates and API's for the pharmaceutical industry under terms of total confidentiality. Committed to long-term relationships with its customers, MINAKEM offers the responsiveness, risk sharing, flexibility and cost effectiveness of a "human-sized company" to each and every client on a personal level.
MINAKEM focuses on:
— Synthesis of Starting Materials for the fine chemical industry in dedicated facilities with cost-effective processes
— Custom Manufacturing of Key Intermediates for the pharmaceutical industry in a dedicated cGMP workshop (FDA inspected, cGMP compliant)
— Manufacture of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), by opportunity for niche APIs (FDA inspected, cGMP compliant).


Source: LibraGen

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Biolex Therapeutics Acquires LemnaGene S.A. — Further Consolidates Protein Capabilities

PITTSBORO, NC, July 28, 2005 — Biolex Therapeutics, a venture capital-backed, clinical development-stage protein therapeutics company, today announced the acquisition of LemnaGene S.A., a privately-held, French start-up biotechnology company researching potential applications of the small, aquatic plant Lemna to produce recombinant proteins. Biolex’ patented technology platform, The LEX SystemTM, uses Lemna as a transgenic host for the development and manufacture of therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies that are difficult to make (technically or economically) in traditional recombinant expression systems. The LEX System has been successfully employed in Biolex’ GMP biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities (conforming to U.S. and international regulatory guidelines on current Good Manufacturing Practices), where multiple proteins have been produced for preclinical and clinical development.

"Last year we acquired Epicyte Pharmaceutical, strengthening our technical capabilities and patent position related to plant-based monoclonal antibody production," said Jan Turek, Chief Executive Officer of Biolex. "The acquisition of LemnaGene represents a further consolidation of relevant protein capabilities and will enhance our position as a leader in this space. It is our belief that Biolex is now becoming the first choice for companies seeking a development partner for complex protein therapeutics reflecting our many recent accomplishments."

LemnaGene, based in Lyon, France, provides biomanufacturing services to the pharmaceutical, vaccine, veterinarian, diagnostic, nutraceutical and industrial protein markets. The company has several research agreements with companies in the pharmaceutical and human/animal vaccine areas.

"I am pleased that LemnaGene has joined forces with Biolex," said Georges Freyssinet, Ph.D., former Chief Executive Officer of LemnaGene. "Our research activities and collaborations will fit in well with Biolex’ development expertise and GMP capabilities." Dr. Freyssinet will remain as Director of Research and Development of LemnaGene.

Biolex Therapeutics applies its unique drug development capabilities and expertise to commercialize complex proteins and monoclonal antibodies that until now have been impossible or very expensive to develop through traditional means. The company is advancing a proprietary pipeline of product candidates including Locteron^TM, a novel controlled-release form of alfa interferon which will enter Phase 1 clinical trials in 2005. Biolex has an extensive, multi-protein strategic alliance with Centocor and collaborations with other pharmaceutical/biotech companies including Medarex and OctoPlus. For additional information, please visit Biolex’ web site at www.biolex.com.


Source: LemnaGene

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Genome Express signs agreement with bioMérieux

Leading in vitro diagnostics firm outsources bacteriological analysis projects to GENOME express Grenoble, March 4, 2005 — GENOME express, specialist in DNA analysis, announces today that it has agreed with bioMérieux, a global leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for medical and industrial applications to carry out a series of specific bacterial analyses for bioMérieux.

bioMérieux selected GENOME express for this work because the DNA analysis specialist offers a unique analysis platform that combines molecular biology (wet lab) expertise with bioinformatics know-how, and allows the company to carry out highly complex bacteriological analysis. Another key factor was GENOME express's ability to process a high volume of samples on a routine basis.

The identification of molecules is based on fully automated phylogenic analysis of marker genes which are compared to a sequence database maintained by GENOME express. bioMérieux will be able to access the results remotely using a customer portal developed, hosted and maintained by GENOME express fully compatible with Oracle. The application not only offers easy access to results but also allows bioMérieux to manage sequence and identity data from its library of bacterial strains. This means that bioMérieux and GENOME express are able to use a production line approach to identifying and bacterial strains that are difficult to identify using traditional approaches.

"Identifying complex strains of bacteria is a natural outlet for GENOME express's know-how in DNA analysis for industry," says Warren Barton, CEO of GENOME express. "At the same time as focusing on our core business — making DNA 'talk' — we have also extended our range of services to cover food identification services for the agri-food sector."


About GENOME express
In business since 1994, GENOME express specializes in DNA analysis for customers in human and animal healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agri-food and academic research. DNA contains the genetic code of living species and contains the key to understanding living organisms. GENOME express offers a team of experts, proprietary technologies, and an optimized process that together form a unique molecular biology and bioinformatics platform.

Using its DNA sequencing core business expertise, GENOME express has developed services and high value added solutions that allow its customers to interpret the data generated quickly and efficiently.

Analysis and identification services include:
— DNA sequencing
— Food ingredient specification
— Bacterial identification

GENOME express also offers custom solutions including an R&D outsourcing facility covering many areas of molecular biology, such as genomic exploration and identification of new markers.

To assist customers in conforming to European regulatory directives, GENOME express provides a range of services dedicated to identifying the content and origin of food through DNA analysis. These services include the detection of allergens or biological contaminants, and address the needs of large scale distribution chains and the agri-food industry.

About bioMérieux
bioMérieux is a leading international diagnostics group that specialises in the field of in vitro diagnostics for clinical and industrial applications. bioMérieux designs, develops, manufactures and markets systems (i.e. reagents, instruments and software) used in:

Clinical applications: the diagnosis of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis and respiratory illnesses, as well as pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, based on the analysis of biological samples (such as blood, saliva or urine); and

Industrial applications: the microbiological analysis of food, environments (such as water and air), surfaces and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, based on the analysis of product or environmental samples.

In 2004, bioMérieux sales reached 930.6 million euros. The company is present in more than 130 countries through 33 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors, which positions the company well to benefit from the growth potential of the in vitro diagnostics market. Some important drivers that underpin this growth are aging populations and age-related illness, illnesses related to life-style and eating habits, emerging new pathogens, the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the fight against bio-terrorism, the recognition of the importance of the quality of food products.

bioMérieux is listed on the Premier Marché of Euronext, Paris (FR0010096479 — BIM).

Source: Genome Express

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Genome Express launches Gextrack, for food identification through DNA analysis

Grenoble, France, October 12 2004 — GENOME express, the DNA analysis specialist, announces today "Gextrack", a new range of services in the field of food identification. The launch coincides with the International Food Exhibition, SIAL (Salon International de l'Alimentation), October 17-21 in Paris. In bringing Gextrack to market, GENOME express has leveraged its expertise in molecular biology to provide the food industry with an answer to complying with European regulations on traceability, monitoring and conformity of products.

Gextrack is based on the analysis of DNA and uses patents from academic laboratories based in Lyon (CNRS, UCBL, ENS). The DNA molecule has the great advantage of being unique for each individual living organism and species. It also resists changes through the different stages of transformation of a product. These include mixture, cooking, freezing and canning. Analysis of the DNA therefore allows precise identification and analysis of the different components present in a food product, whether it is a fresh or a processed product.

Gextrack can provide solutions for the different consumer information regulations requiring product labelling such as GMOs, allergenic ingredients traceability, authentication of products. These include:

— Authentication of the product (example: Is this fish fillet really sole?) — Analysis of food product ingredients (example: Does this duck foie gras only contain duck?)
— Detection of allergens (example: Are there traces of nuts in this cereal bar?)
— Monitoring feed ingredients (example: This feed does not contain any products of animal origin)
— Detection of GM ingredients
— The presence or absence of an ingredient in a processed product (example: This dish does not contain any pork)

"Gextrack will be of enormous value to the agri-food industry and large distribution chains," says Franck Robert, Head of the Gextrack project at GENOME express. "At GENOME express, we say we can make DNA 'talk' and Gextrack shows how it is possible to use the genetic code, unique for each individual organism, whether it's of animal or vegetable origin, to distinguish, identify and analyse the different species present in a food product, whether it is in its raw state or processed."

"GENOME express now has ten years' experience as a DNA specialist and is the leading private DNA sequencing specialist for research. This unique experience of DNA analysis allows us to offer this new range of service," says Warren Barton, GENOME express' CEO. "Gextrack's main targets are the agri-food industry and food retailers, but can also provide an effective solution for any sector with a need for DNA identification."

Visit GENOME express at SIAL in Paris (Villepinte) October 17-21
Hall 5A Stand F 046


About GENOME express
In business since 1994, GENOME express specializes in DNA analysis for customers in human and animal healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agri-food and academic research. DNA contains the genetic code of living species and contains the key to understanding living organisms. GENOME express offers a team of experts, proprietary technologies and an optimised process that together form a unique molecular biology and bioinformatics platform. Using its DNA sequencing core business expertise, GENOME express has developed services and high value added solutions that allow its customers to interpret the generated data quickly and efficiently.

Analysis and identification services include:

DNA sequencing

Food ingredient specification

Bacterial identification

GENOME express also offers custom solutions including an R&D outsourcing facility covering molecular biology and bioinformatics, such as genomic exploration and identification of new markers, Š

To assist customers in conforming to European regulatory directives, GENOME express provides a range of services dedicated to identifying the content and origin of food through DNA analysis. These services include the detection of allergenic ingredients or other contaminants (GMOs, Š), and address the needs of the food industry.

For further information: www.genome-express.com

Source: Genome Express

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LemnaGene SA opens its biomanufacturing facility and has produced its first transgenic Spirodela

Lyon, France; September 27, 2004 — LemnaGene SA, a recently founded biomanufacturing company using the aquatic plant Spirodela from the Lemnaceae family, as its production platform, recently opened its new laboratory and biomanufacturing facility in the incubation space for new projects, located at the "Ecole normale supérieure de Lyon" (France) (ENS Lyon). This will allow LemnaGene to provide a full range of biomanufacturing services to the Pharmaceutical, Vaccine, Veterinarian, Diagnostic, Nutraceutical and Industrial Protein markets. LemnaGene SA also announced the production of its first transgenic Spirodela containing genes of interest to industrial partners.

Georges Freyssinet, the CEO of LemnaGene SA commented, "this new facility is a big plus for us. We can now produce efficiently transgenic Spirodela in a very nice environment. In addition, being inside the Ecole normale supérieure de Lyon allows us to work with high level scientific teams and have access to facilities and equipments which will speed up our development".

Michel van der Rest, Research Director at ENS Lyon commented, "The ENS Lyon is developing a clearly defined policy for the technology transfer of its research. With the aim of doing this, we are happy to host LemnaGene in our buildings within the framework of a research collaboration with the team of Thierry Gaude (Laboratoire de Reproduction et Développement des Plantes). LemnaGene will benefit from the expertise of this team and the equipments of this laboratory".

LemnaGene SA has been established in October 2003 in Lyon, France with the support of US and French private investors and a 400,000 Euro grant from the French Ministry of Research, grant managed by ANVAR (Agence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche). LemnaGene has received support from Créalys, the incubator from "Rhône-Alpes Ouest", and the Novacité label from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lyon.

LemnaGene SA has an exclusive license from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, on know-how and patents developed by Weizmann scientists and has secured several additional licenses on enabling technologies. Agreements have been entered into with three development partners to validate the industrial feasibility of the LemnaGene platform for several genes of commercial interest.


Source: LemnaGene

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Genome Express offers 10,000 free sequences to mark 10 years in DNA sequence analysis business

Grenoble, 24 September 2004 — GENOME express, leading provider of DNA sequencing services to the French market, announced today that it is offering 10,000 free sequences, the equivalent of five bacterial genomes, in a prize-draw open to all public and private sector researchers worldwide. Those wishing to try their luck should go to GENOME express's website www.genome-express.com from 15 October 2004.

GENOME express, founded in 1994, specializes in DNA analysis for customers in human and animal healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agri-food and academic research. It offers a team of experts, proprietary technologies, and an optimized process that together form a unique molecular biology and bioinformatics platform.

"GENOME express has built upon standard sequencing tools to develop a production-level sequencing platform that brings significant added value to our customers," said François Pons, director of business development at GENOME express. "Ten years of accumulated know-how and development activity have gone into our bioinformatics and other proprietary tools. We don't just offer raw data to our customers but relevant and reliable information. We like to say that we 'can help make DNA talk' for our customers."

"To celebrate our ten years in business, and to let people try for themselves, we are offering 10,000 sequences in a prize draw that will take place in December," he added.

Today several thousand customers use GENOME express services. Daily capacity has risen by two orders of magnitude and annual sequence data production is roughly equivalent to one third of the human genome.

In addition to the DNA sequencing activities, GENOME express provides solutions to complex challenges in the fields of comparative genomics and transcriptomics, food identification, particularly the identification of allergens.

The company expects to have ISO 9001-2000 certification in December this year.

"We are proud to have already achieved 10 years in business, an impressive record for a biotechnology company," said Warren Barton, CEO of GENOME express. "Our business is built on solid foundations with significant sales growth for 2004. We expect to continue growing, building on our core activity of DNA analysis to develop exciting new products and services in food identification/analysis."


About GENOME express
In business since 1994, GENOME express specialises in DNA analysis for customers in human and animal healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agri-food and academic research. It offers a team of experts, proprietary technologies, and an optimised process that together form a unique molecular biology and bioinformatics platform.

Using its DNA sequencing core business expertise, GENOME express has developed services and high value added solutions that allow its customers to interpret the data generated quickly and efficiently.

GENOME express also offers custom solutions including an R&D outsourcing facility covering many areas of molecular biology, such as genomic exploration, identification of new markers and bacterial identification.

For further information: http://www.genomex.com

Source: Genome Express

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Genome Express and Institut Pasteur sign partnership agreement

Institut Pasteur accord underscores added value of GENOME express's functional genomics platform for research teams in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrifood sectors

Grenoble, France, July 27 2004 — GENOME express, developer and provider of high added value solutions in functional genomics, announces today that it has signed a partnership agreement with the Institut Pasteur. Under the terms of the agreement, the Institut Pasteur will be able to access the range of tools available on GENOME express's functional genomics platform, in particular in the field of bacterial genomics, under favorable conditions. The agreement applies to Pasteur's internal research programs. Financial terms are undisclosed.

For GENOME express, the deal means a highly credible endorsement of its technology platform, particularly in the fields of microbiology, as well as making the platform a widely used tool by scientists throughout the Institut Pasteur. The agreement also allows for future co-development of products and services that bring together Pasteur's biology expertise and GENOME express's technology platform for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agrifood industry customers.

The Institut Pasteur will benefit from the tools and technical know-how of GENOME express and the special access terms granted by GENOME express. Building on its knowledge and experience of sequencing and bioinformatics, GENOME express has developed and is now marketing proprietary methods in the field of genomics and comparative transcriptomics. These methods allow academic or industry customers to accelerate their research processes in areas such as the discovery of new molecular diagnostic markers, strain identification, identification of new targets, and adopting appropriate vaccine strategies.

"Institut Pasteur enjoys an international reputation for its work in microbiology and infectious diseases, and this agreement is an impressive endorsement of our technology platform," said Warren Barton, chairman and CEO of GENOME express. "It illustrates our commitment to providing real, significant and competitive benefits to our customers and helping them to optimize the value chain in the discovery process."

"We have already achieved useful research results by using GENOME express tools, in particular in the field of comparative genomics related to molecular epidemiology," said Stewart Cole, director of the Institut Pasteur Genopole. "This agreement opens up for us a range of new possibilities using GENOME express's expertise."


About GENOME express
GENOME express, Grenoble, France, is a leading provider of DNA sequencing services and also develops and markets a range of high value-added solutions for functional genomics. The company offers a unique platform that integrates innovative and proprietary tools for genomics, comparative transcriptomics (gene expression analysis). These tools are linked to an advanced bioinformatics platform comprising GenoStar for bacterial genomic exploration, Syn-Quence^TM for the discovery and identification of SNPs, and PepMap for the identification of proteins via the genomic mapping of mass spectrometry data. Building on its success and experience as a service provider, GENOME express is currently making its platform accessible to private sector researchers and academics. This will be done through partnerships with customers in the diagnostics, pharmaceutical and veterinary sectors enabling them to outsource their R&D projects either in part or totally.

For further information: http://www.genomex.com

Source: Genome Express

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Yves Rambaud, member of the Ipsen Group’s Board of Directors

Paris, December 22, 2003 — Mr. Yves Rambaud is appointed a member of The Ipsen Group’s Board of Directors. He is also a Board Member of the companies « LE NICKEL SLN » and GEODIS and he is Chairman of "La Fédération des Minéraux et Métaux" (Minerals and Metals Union). From 1991 to March 2003, he was Chief Executive Officer of ERAMET.

A graduate from both "Ecole Polytechnique" and "Ecole des Mines de Paris", Mr. Yves Rambaud started his career at the National Mining and Geological Service in Paris. From 1967 to 1971, he was successfully Manager, then Deputy General Manager of PENARROYA (mining and metallurgic company). From 1971 to 1974, he became General Manager Nickel Activity of "SOCIETE LE NICKEL (SLN)" (belonging to the same group as PENARROYA). When the company "LE NICKEL" became the IMETAL Group, he was appointed General Manager in 1974, then became Chief Executive Officer from 1985 to 1991 of "LE NICKEL SLN" (metallurgic company). At the same time he was appointed Vice President and General Manager, then Chief Executive Officer of ERAMET-SLN, which since became ERAMET.

About Ipsen

Present in over 110 countries with a total staff of nearly 3700, the Ipsen Group had a turnover of €718 million in 2002, 27.1% outside Western Europe.

The Group is focused on developing innovative products in targeted disease areas: oncology, endocrinology, neurology and haematology. Ipsen currently has over 20 products on the market, including those marketed to specialists in disease areas that represent the main source of Ipsen’s future growth, as well as predominantly natural-based products that represent the historical base of the Group’s business in other disease areas. In 2002, 18.2% of Ipsen’s turnover was reinvested in Research and Development, carried out from 4 centres: Paris, Boston, Barcelona and London by an international network of about 550 scientists.

The Group’s website is www.ipsen.com


Source: Ipsen

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Roche acquires rights to diabetes compound from Ipsen

Paris (France) and Basel (Switzerland), 21 October 2003 — Roche and Ipsen today announced that the two companies have entered into a second agreement, following the one concluded December 2002, this time for Ipsen’s diabetes compound BIM 51077. BIM 51077 is a Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, currently in Phase I clinical studies for Type 2 diabetes. In addition to BIM 51077 itself, Roche has been granted rights to all future compounds to be discovered or licensed by Ipsen in this class of drugs.

According to the terms of the first agreement entered in December 2002, Roche already has worldwide rights, excluding Europe, to market Ipsen’s homocamptothecine class of compounds, a promising group of anticancer agents with lead compounds in development, such as diflomotecan and BN 80927.

"BIM 51077 is a very promising compound that will further strengthen our position in the diabetes market, with proven products such as Xenical," stated William M. Burns, Head of the Pharmaceutical Division at Roche, "We are very pleased to build upon our relationship with Ipsen. After just ten months of entering into our first collaboration, we have identified a further opportunity for collaboration. Working closely with partners and building upon existing relationships is a key business strategy for Roche."

"We are delighted to be signing a new agreement with Roche. This partnership, with such a highly respected company, confirms the quality of our research and reflects our corporate strategy to actively search for new alliances, particularly with quality partners," said Jean-Luc Bélingard, Ipsen’s President and CEO.


Terms of the Agreement

Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will have exclusive rights to market and sell BIM 51077 worldwide, except in Japan where Roche will share co-marketing rights with Teijin and in France where Ipsen has the option to co-market. Roche will reimburse the development and formulation work undertaken by Ipsen and will be responsible for all future clinical development. Ipsen will receive total payments of up to €202 million, consisting of €10 million in initial committed payments and additional payments contingent upon achievement of clinical, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercial milestones. Additionally, Ipsen will receive royalties on worldwide sales.

About BIM 51077

BIM 51077, a compound discovered by Ipsen Research and Development, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a new class of compounds under study for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetic patients produce less insulin than non-diabetics, and clinical studies suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists can increase insulin to near normal levels. GLP-1 incretin hormone is secreted naturally in response to food intake and acts to stimulate insulin production, suppress glucagon secretion, and slow gastric emptying in order to restore and sustain physiological blood glucose levels. The structure of BIM 51077 was optimized to provide extended duration of action while retaining the potency of the endogenous hormone.

Roche in Diabetes

Roche is committed to finding new medicines to treat metabolic diseases, with a strong emphasis on diabetes. In June 2003, Switzerland’s Federal Social Security Office (BSV) expanded reimbursement approval for Roche’s Xenical to include treatment of overweight Type 2 diabetics who are also being treated with one or more oral antidiabetic medicines. Xenical is the world's leading medicine for weight loss and weight control, and BSV’s expanded reimbursement approval underscores Xenical’s efficacy in treating overweight patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Roche is a leading supplier of products and services for diabetes monitoring and integrated diabetes management. Following the acquisition of Disetronic, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of insulin pumps, Roche’s diabetes portfolio will range from blood glucose meters for patient self-monitoring to sophisticated, programmable insulin pumps that allow patients to continuously administer insulin doses according to their individual needs. In 2002, Roche Diabetes Care, a business area of Roche Diagnostics, posted sales of 2.5 billion Swiss francs (+14% in local currencies), thanks to the continued success of the Accu-Chek product line.

Roche Business Development and Alliance Strategy

Roche’s research strategy is based on strong in-house research with centres in Japan, Europe and the USA and strategic alliances with Genentech and Chugai. Complementing and strengthening the Group’s dynamic R&D capabilities are over 50 scientific and commercial collaborations with biotech companies and universities, tailored alliances supplement these efforts in clearly defined focus areas. Roche has formed over 45 new partnerships, which span a wide range of therapeutic areas and technologies, making it an industry leader; a key element of this strategy is to enable its partners to achieve their vision while maintaining their cultural identity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Ipsen’s Active Search for New Alliances and Partnerships

Ipsen’s strategy for development is based on two main pillars: the high quality of its research and an active search for new alliances and partnerships. This new agreement with Roche reflects such strategy, validates the quality of the new molecules discovered by Ipsen’s researchers and confirms the Ipsen development model. Since January 2002, Ipsen has signed ten major licensing, research development and other partnership agreements and thus demonstrated its ability to form and develop alliances and partnerships with the leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The Group intends to continue this strategy in the future in order to enrich its product portfolio in its four targeted disease areas. These agreements help the Company to secure access to complementary technologies to those it already has, and at the same time provide new opportunities for international distribution, particularly in the United States and Japan.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading innovation-driven healthcare groups. Its core businesses are pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is number one in the global diagnostics market, the leading supplier of pharmaceuticals for cancer and a leader in virology and transplantation. As a supplier of products and services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche employs roughly 65,000 people in 150 countries. The Group has alliances and R&D agreements with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai.

About Ipsen
Present in over 110 countries with a total staff of nearly 3700, the Ipsen Group had a turnover of €718 million in 2002, 27.1% outside Western Europe.

The Group is focused on developing innovative products in targeted disease areas: oncology, endocrinology, neurology and haematology. Ipsen currently has over 20 products on the market, including those marketed to specialists in disease areas that represent the main source of Ipsen’s future growth, as well as predominantly natural-based products that represent the historical base of the Group’s business in other disease areas. In 2002, 18.2% of Ipsen’s turnover was reinvested in Research and Development, carried out from 4 centres: Paris, Boston, Barcelona and London by an international network of about 550 scientists.

The Group's website is www.ipsen.com.


Source: Ipsen

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