Krakow, Poland, November 5, 2013 / B3C newswire / - Polish biotechnology company Selvita, announced today the appointment of Dr. Mirosława Zydron to the position of Member of the Management Board, Director of Chemistry Division and Dr. Krzysztof Brzozka to the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer.

As of 5 November 2013, the Management Board of Selvita includes the following members:

• Paweł Przewięźlikowski - Chief Executive Officer,
• Bogusław Sieczkowski – Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer,
• Krzysztof Brzózka – Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer,
• Miłosz Gruca - Member of the Management Board, Director of Biology Department
• Sebastian Kwaśny - Member of the Management Board, Director of Bioinformatics Department
• Mirosława Zydroń - Member of the Management Board, Director of Chemistry Division

The new appointments follow the extension of the scale of company’s operations, and are aimed at strengthening the new members' responsibility for the results of their departments, respectively the Chemistry Services Division and internal R&D pipeline, as well as facilitate their contacts with the current and future Selvita's business partners.

Mirosława Zydron will be responsible for further stable development of Chemistry Services Division strengthening Selvita’s market position and building long-term relationships within the pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical and agrochemical environments.

Krzysztof Brzozka will be responsible for supervision of current internal projects aimed at the development of novel small molecule therapies both in currently established and future strategic collaborations with commercial partners, further development of the department and initiation of new research projects with both industrial and academic partners, strengthening international  position of Selvita and to building both research and business relationships with pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and investors.

Pawel Przewiezlikowski, the Chief Executive Officer of Selvita commented: “We are extremely happy with Krzysztof’s and Miroslawa’s performance. Our R&D division, headed by Krzysztof is progressing dynamically our multiple early stage programs in oncology, CNS and autoimmune disorders and has recently delivered two pre-clinical candidates in our Pim and CDK8 kinase programs. Krzysztof has also been instrumental in forging of our two co-discovery alliances with H3 Biomedicine and Merck Serono.
Mirka’s (Miroslawa’s) Chemistry Services Division has also been expanding rapidly, delivering successful projects to our existing customers from the innovative and generic pharma industry as well as starting new relationships in pharma, chemicals and agrochemicals markets in the USA, Europe and Asia.
We welcome the extended scope of responsibility of both colleagues and look forward to their continued building of exceptional value for our business partners, shareholders and employees”

“Since 2009, the Chemistry Division at Selvita, with our skills, experience, professionalism, flexibility and openness to the needs of our customers, has won their trust and worked on differentiated projects covering a broad range of chemistries and scientific approaches. Our current goal is to constantly grow in a stable way and further strengthen our market position in the area of R&D outsourcing, through continuous acquisition and ongoing development of highly skilled specialists, development of infrastructure and ensuring the highest quality of service, thus building long-term relationships with our clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical and agrochemical businesses.” said Dr. Mirosława Zydron.

"The ultimate aim of our internal research and development activities is the development of breakthrough therapies in areas such as cancer or Alzheimer's disease. Since its inception, Selvita created a unique in Central and Eastern Europe both in terms of scale and skills team of specialists that joined their efforts to develop first and best in class therapies which are guided by the current high standards of personalized medicine and the requirements of safety and effectiveness of new therapies. We sincerely hope that the intellectual property developed so far and the first-in-class molecules developed by our team will confirm their effectiveness in clinical trials, not only changing the lives of patients struggling with incurable diseases, but also allowing continued growth of the company and value for shareholders, as well as further development of the biotechnology sector in Poland" said Dr. Krzysztof Brzozka.

Dr Miroslawa Zydron joined Selvita in December 2009, and has been responsible for the formation and organization of the Chemistry Services Division, strategic development of the chemistry research services, presentation of the company's offer and building relationships with international clients from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical and agrochemical environments, as well as overseeing the ongoing projects to ensure the highest quality of services.
Dr. Zydron gained her experience in project management, formation of research and development structures and management of R&D teams in international organizations both in the scientific environment and Pliva company (then: Barr Pharmaceuticals, TEVA), as Head of R&D Laboratory, overseeing analytical and preformulation activities at the stage of drug form development and packaging processes in pilot production in GMP environment.
Dr. Zydron graduated from the Silesian Technical University (Poland), with MSc and PhD Degree in chemistry. Her PhD Thesis gained distinction from Academy of Sciences, Committee of Analytical Chemistry, for the best doctoral thesis in the area of analytical chemistry in Poland in 2004 - 2005. In 2009, she completed a two-year MBA Program at the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University in Rotterdam (Netherlands).

Dr Krzysztof Brzozka joined Selvita in 2007 as a specialist responsible for evaluation, due diligence and in-licensing of research projects. In 2009 he became a Project Manager of the first anticancer project initiated at Selvita and in subsequent years initiated further research projects, also in additional therapeutic indications. In January 2012 he was appointed to the position of Chief Scientific Officer and Member of the Management Board and is currently responsible for development of internal pipeline of novel, small molecule therapies across various indications.
Dr. Brzozka holds a PhD degree from Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich (Germany) and an MSc degree in Biotechnology, specializing in Molecular Biology, from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Poland). He also completed a two-year Executive MBA at Stockholm University School of Business and the Cracow University of Economics Business School. In the years 2003 - 2007, Dr. Brzozka conducted research at the Ludwig Maximilian University in the field of intracellular signaling, pathogen defense mechanisms leading to the immune system inhibition and the innate immune response. Dr. Brzozka has unique interdisciplinary expertise in development of projects in the preclinical phase, ranging from in silico studies, medical chemistry and, in vitro and in vivo molecular biology studies and toxicology. 

 
About Selvita
Selvita is a Polish biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of breakthrough medicines to treat oncology, CNS and autoimmune disorders, as well as provision of drug discovery services. It was established in 2007 and currently employs 167 people, including 53 PhDs. Selvita has currently several internal projects at early or late discovery stage and is expected to move its first candidates to the clinic in 2014. The most advanced programs at Selvita are SEL24, a pre-clinical PIM/FLT3 mutant kinase inhibitor, with indications in AML and other hematological malignancies and SEL120, first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinase CDK8. Other innovative projects currently in development include SEL141, an early stage discovery program of DYRK1A kinase inhibitors with therapeutic potential in the treatment targeting Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome, SEL201 – novel small molecule MNK1/2 inhibitors in oncology and inflammasome platform. Drug discovery clients of Selvita include more than fifty large and medium-sized pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from USA and Europe. Selvita is listed on the NewConnect market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Poland (SLV).

Media contact:
Selvita S.A.
Paulina Wolanin
+48 668 111 456
paulina.wolanin@selvita.com

Company to accelerate clinical development of antibodies IMAB362 and IMAB027 for the treatment of cancer

Mainz, Germany, November 18, 2013 / B3C newswire / -Ganymed Pharmaceuticals AG, a biopharmaceutical company developing highly selective Ideal Monoclonal Antibodies (IMABs) for the treatment of cancer, announced today the completion of a EUR 45 million Series E financing from existing investors ATS Beteiligungsverwaltung GmbH, MIG Fond, and FCPB Gany GmbH.

Ganymed will use the proceeds to accelerate the clinical development of its lead program IMAB362, including completion of the ongoing Phase IIa and IIb clinical trials in gastroesophageal cancer, and to prepare this first-in-class antibody for a Phase III study. Concomitantly, the Company will clinically validate its IVD test, CLAUDETECT™18.2, as a predictive companion diagnostic test to IMAB362.

The financing will also allow Ganymed to conduct a Phase I/II clinical study of IMAB027 in ovarian cancer and develop a companion diagnostic test for this antibody.

“We are very pleased that in the space of just three years, the Ganymed team has made immense progress in the clinical development of its lead program. In all clinical studies done so far, IMAB362 has shown exciting anticancer activity and safety data, suggesting that this antibody may well represent a breakthrough in the treatment of solid cancers,” said Thomas Strüngmann of ATS Beteiligungsverwaltung.

Prof. Rolf Krebs, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ganymed, commented: “The successful completion of this financing round is a strong testimony to the continuing solid commitment of Ganymed’s investors to the Company. We are truly excited that this financing allows us to accelerate the development of IMAB362, for which we have achieved promising preliminary results in the Phase IIa study earlier this year.”

 
About Ganymed
Ganymed Pharmaceuticals AG is a biopharmaceutical company with the mission of revolutionizing cancer treatment by developing a new class of therapeutic drugs called Ideal Monoclonal Antibodies (IMABs). IMABs are unique in that they are highly selective for proteins which are present on tumor cells, but do not bind to healthy cells. This unmatched tumor cell specificity makes IMABs cancer cell selective allowing them to efficiently kill tumor cells without harming normal healthy tissues. They can thus be administered at optimal dose and have a broad therapeutic window with reduced risks of side effects.

Ganymed’s lead program, IMAB362, is in advanced phase II testing for gastroesophageal cancer. IMAB362 binds to the tight junction protein Claudin-18.2 which is expressed in up to 80% of gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas, 60% of pancreatic tumors as well as in other various solid tumors.

Ganymed is also developing IMAB027, a monoclonal antibody targeting GT512 which is absent in healthy adult organs, but is expressed in a wide range of solid cancers, including testicular, ovarian, uterine, and lung cancers. The company plans to initiate clinical studies with IMAB027 in the near future.

Ganymed is a private company that was founded in 2001 as a spin-off from the Universities of Mainz and Zurich. Its majority shareholder is ATS Beteiligungsverwaltung GmbH. Other investors include Future Capital AG, MIG Fonds, FCPB Gany GmbH, and private individuals.

 
Contact Information
Dr. Luc St-Onge
Business Development
Ganymed Pharmaceuticals AG
Freiligrathstrasse 12
55131 Mainz
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)6131 1440 100
E-mail: info@ganymed.ag

Media Contact
Frank Butschbacher, CIR
Investor Relations & Communications
Tel.: +43 650 78 44 940
E-mail: office@butschbacher.net

Strasbourg, France, November 18, 2013/ B3C newswire / - NovAliX SAS announced today that it has entered into a fragment-based drug discovery project with Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Japan. This is a continuation of the alliance announced on January 14 of this year and builds upon the positive results already generated by the NovAliX biophysical platform.   

The companies will commence research against a new clinically significant target involving the discovery of novel small molecules that modulate protein-protein interaction. First, NovAliX will generate lead candidates using its Graffinity® screening platform. The ensuing "hits" will be elaborated by NovAliX' in-house teams of biophysical and chemistry experts. The biophysical toolbox encompasses a broad spectrum of instrumental techniques employed iteratively to support the activities of synthetic organic, computational and medicinal chemists.  

Under the terms of the agreement NovAliX will receive technology access fees as well as further research funding payments and milestones.  

Stephan Jenn, President of NovAliX, stated, ”We in NovAliX are highly excited by this important development in our relationship with Kyowa Hakko Kirin. The collaboration with a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company underlines the value offered by the NovAliX integrated drug discovery platforms; platforms designed and proven to deliver not only hits and but also optimized lead compounds. The extension of the drug discovery alliance to another target validates our capabilities.” 

 
About NovAliX
NovAliX is providing enabling chemistry and biophysical technologies to support the pharmaceutical industry’s outsourcing needs from discovery to manufacturing. With its proprietary Graffinity SPR technology, X-ray protein crystallography, native mass spectrometry and chemistry NovAliX offers comprehensive integrated services for small molecule drug discovery. With advanced NMR technologies, NovAliX provides fine characterization of biologics, thorough analysis of APIs and polymorphism studies to support pharmaceutical development and manufacturing teams. NovAliX Group, a team of 130 scientists, is located in Strasbourg-Illkirch (France) and Heidelberg (NovAliX’s Graffinity subsidiary in Germany).

About Kyowa Hakko Kirin
Kyowa Hakko Kirin is a leading biopharmaceutical company in Japan focusing on its core business area of oncology, nephrology and immunology/allergy. Kyowa Hakko Kirin leverages antibody-related leading-edge technologies to discover and develop innovative new drugs aiming to become a global specialty pharmaceutical company which contributes to the health and well-being of people around the world.

 
Contact:
Denis Zeyer, CEO
NovAliX
Bld Sébastien Brant, BP 30170
F-67405 Illkirch CEDEX FRANCE
Phone : +33 368 330 200
info@novalix-pharma.com

Study Presented at CNS Summit 2013 Suggests ANAVEX 2-73 Will Have Clinically Detectable and Meaningful Effect in Alzheimer’s Disease, Especially When Combined With Aricept®

NEW YORK, NY, USA, November 18, 2013 / B3C newswire / – Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: AVXL) presented new data from a study evaluating ANAVEX 2-73 in a computer simulation model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) limited to symptomatic effects, which was presented during a poster session at the CNS Summit 2013 on Saturday, November 16th, 2013 in Boca Raton, Florida. 

The results from the poster, entitled, “The anticipated clinical effect of the new Alzheimer drug ANAVEX 2-73 in a calibrated Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Platform”, predict that ANAVEX 2-73, in a realistic cortical network computer model of AD, will show a clinical dose-dependent improvement in AD Assessment Scale – Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) of 2-3 points at 12 weeks, which is similar to Aricept® (donepezil), currently the best-selling Alzheimer’s drug with reported sales of $4 billion last year.  However, when combining ANAVEX 2-73 with low dose (5mg) Aricept® (donepezil), the clinical outcome significantly improves, to a maximal effect of anticipated ADAS-Cog response of 6-7 points at 12 weeks and 4.5-5.5 points at 26 weeks in mild-to-moderate AD patients, respectively.  These improvements suggest the effects will likely be clinically detectable and meaningful. 

Tangui Maurice, PhD, CNRS Research Director at the University of Montpellier and INSERM, said, “This data confirms the significant and unexpected synergy we have previously seen between ANAVEX 2-73 and Aricept® (donepezil) in a preclinical model. This result allows us to confidently move forward into the analysis of this potentially promising combination drug for Alzheimer’s disease. ”

Hugo Geerts, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of In Silico BioSciences (ISB) and Adjunct Professor at the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, stated, “We don't have many examples of blinded predictions using our Quantitative Systems Pharmacology platform, only three so far, however, in those three cases the respective sponsor performed a clinical trial that essentially confirmed our unexpected quantitative predictions, and the respective outcomes were published.”

Christopher U. Missling, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anavex, said, “The data is quite encouraging since the study focused purely on symptomatic effects and no sigma-1 effect was implemented or considered.  With this study we added another layer of positive evidence to advance ANAVEX 2-73 in combination with donepezil into clinical trials.”

The poster was co-authored by Dr. Maurice and Dr. Geerts, as well as Athan Spiros, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at ISB; and Patrick Roberts, PhD, Director of Computational Systems Pharmacology at ISB and Adjunct Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Oregon Health & Science University and Systems Science Program at Portland State University. 

The full poster is available on the Anavex website at  http://anavex.com/publications.html.  

 
About In Silico Biosciences Inc.
In Silico Biosciences has been building mechanistic mathematical models of physiological systems of CNS diseases such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and Parkinson's diseases since 1999. The integration of current knowledge from many sources is applied so as to better understand the systemic behavior of the disease physiology in the human vs. the animal brain. A multiplicity of validation methodologies are utilized for these patent protected models.

About ANAVEX 2-73
ANAVEX 2-73 is an orally available small molecule being investigated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.  In addition to pre-clinical data indicating that ANAVEX 2-73 has the potential to prevent, halt and/or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease, there was also a highly encouraging synergistic effect observed between ANAVEX 2-73 and Aricept® (donepezil). The combined therapeutics produced up to 80% greater reversal of memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease models versus when the drugs were used individually. 

About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of novel drug candidates to treat Alzheimer’s, CNS diseases and various types of cancer.  ANAVEX 2-73, a drug candidate developed to treat Alzheimer's through potential disease modification, has undergone an initial Phase 1 human clinical trial and was well tolerated in doses up to 55mg.  Results from pre-clinical studies indicate that ANAVEX 2-73 demonstrates anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties.  Anavex is a publicly traded corporation quoted as AVXL.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

For Further Information
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Research & Business Development
Email: info@anavex.com

Shareholder & Media Relations
Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895
Outside North America: +1 (416) 489-0092
Email: ir@anavex.com
www.anavex.com

Collaboration in Osteoarthritis on discovery of protein with potential effect on joint cartilage formation

Heidelberg, Germany, November 20, 2013 / B3C newswire / - Biopharm GmbH, Heidelberg, announced today that they have signed an agreement with Merck to cooperate with Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck in their research activities directed toward the molecular engineering of a biologic compound for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Under the terms of the agreement, Biopharm and Merck Serono will enter a joint discovery project focusing on a potential pro-anabolic osteoarthritis modifying drug based on a growth factor derived from the Biopharm growth factor platform technology. Payment fees include an upfront payment, service fees, potential milestone, and royalty payments. Further financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

The aim of the research program, which is intended to run for two years, is to strengthen the potential beneficial effects of an existing wildtype protein, which is thought to drive hyaline joint cartilage formation during embryogenic development and seems to be associated with osteoarthritis.

Biopharm will provide variants of the wildtype protein and early pre-clinical research services focusing on the molecule properties to Merck Serono. In case of identification of any development candidates, Merck Serono will own exclusive development and commercialization rights to the development candidates for osteoarthritis.

“We have insight that the maternal protein shows an important role in joint cartilage formation. These findings raise hope that a modified wildtype protein may induce cartilage regeneration in the osteoarthritic joint,” said Dr. Frank Plöger, CSO of Biopharm. “The alliance will draw on the combined expertise and resources of Merck Serono and Biopharm with the ultimate goal to develop a disease modifying osteoarthritis drug. Although we have knowledge about the molecule, we need a partner like Merck Serono, who does not only provide the necessary resources, but also know how best to set up of our research program to ensure a successful hand over to clinical experts,” commented  Biopharm.

According to the World Health Organization more than 5% of adults over 40 in developed countries, or more than 30 million people, suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee.

 
About Biopharm GmbH
BIOPHARM GmbH is one of the pioneers in the research and development of biotechnological drug substances in the field of Regenerative Medicine. The proprietary Biopharm platform technology of recombinant human growth factors combines more than 27 years of experience in biologics with innovative applications in the field of orthopedics, dermatology and personalized medicine. As a privately-owned company Biopharm is committed to improve human life, achieve scientific excellence and operate with the highest standards of integrity to meet the changing needs of the health care market worldwide.

About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck Serono.

Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.

About Merck
Merck is a leading pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company with total revenues of € 11.2 billion in 2012, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approx. 38,000 employees in 66 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.

 
Contact
Dr. Frank Plöger, Chief Scientific Officer
+49 6221-538358 /  +49 174-2095319
fploeger@biopharm.de

Biopharm GmbH und Merck schließen Forschungskooperation

Zusammenarbeit bei der Entwicklung eines Proteins

mit potenzieller Wirkung auf die Bildung von Gelenkknorpel bei Arthrose

Heidelberg, [XX]. November 2013 - Die Biopharm GmbH, Heidelberg, hat heute die Unterzeichnung einer Kooperationsvereinbarung mit Merck bekannt gegeben. Im Rahmen dieser Vereinbarung werden Biopharm und Merck Serono, die biopharmazeutischen Sparte von Merck, gemeinsame Forschungstätigkeiten aufnehmen, die auf die molekularbiologische Herstellung einer biologischen Substanz zur Behandlung von Arthrose ausgerichtet sind. Gemäß den vertraglichen Vereinbarungen werden Biopharm und Merck Serono in einem gemeinsamen Projekt zusammenarbeiten, dessen Fokus auf der Identifizierung eines potenziellen pro-anabolischen arthrosemodifizierenden Wirkstoffs auf Basis eines Wachstumsfaktors liegt, der von der Wachstumsfaktor-Plattformtechnologie von Biopharm  abgeleitet wird. Die Zahlungen beinhalten Upfront-Payments, Entwicklungsentgelte sowie entsprechende Meilenstein- und Lizenzzahlungen. Weitere finanzielle Einzelheiten der Vereinbarung wurden nicht mitgeteilt.

Ziel des auf zwei Jahre angelegten Forschungsprogramms ist die Optimierung der potenziell günstigen Wirkungen eines vorhandenen Basis-Proteins, das die Bildung von hyalinem Gelenkknorpel während der embryonalen Entwicklung vermutlich vorantreibt und in Verbindung mit Arthrose zu stehen scheint.

Biopharm wird Varianten dieses Basis-Proteins für Merck Serono herstellen sowie Dienstleistungen in der frühen präklinischen Forschung mit Schwerpunkt auf der Optimierung der molekularen Eigenschaften der Proteinvarianten erbringen. Im Fall der Identifizierung etwaiger Entwicklungskandidaten wird Merck Serono exklusive Entwicklungs- und Vermarktungsrechte an den Entwicklungskandidaten für Arthrose besitzen.

„Unseren Erkenntnissen zufolge spielt dieses natürliche im menschlichen Körper vorkommende Protein eine wichtige Rolle bei der Bildung von Gelenkknorpel. Dies gibt Anlass zur Hoffnung, dass ein modifiziertes Basis-Protein die Regenerierung von Knorpel in einem von Arthrose betroffenen Gelenk anregen kann”, sagte Dr. Frank Plöger, CSO von Biopharm. „Die Forschungsallianz wird die vereinten Kompetenzen und Ressourcen von Merck Serono und Biopharm mit dem obersten Ziel nutzen, einen krankheitsmodifizierenden Wirkstoff für Arthrose zu entwickeln. Obwohl wir das Wissen über das Molekül haben, brauchen wir einen Partner wie Merck Serono, der nicht nur die erforderlichen Ressourcen zur Verfügung stellt, sondern auch weiß, wie unser Forschungsprogramm am besten aufgebaut werden muss, um eine erfolgreiche Übergabe an die Experten in der Klinik zu gewährleisten“, kommentierte Biopharm.

Laut Angaben der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) leiden mehr als 5 Prozent der Erwachsenen über 40 Jahren in den Industrienationen und damit mehr als 30 Millionen Menschen an Kniegelenksarthrose.

Biopharm GmbH

Die BIOPHARM GmbH ist einer der Pioniere in der Forschung und Entwicklung von biotechnologischen Wirkstoffen auf dem Gebiet der Regenerativen Medizin. Die patentgeschützte Biopharm-Plattformtechnologie mit rekombinant hergestellten menschlichen Wachstumsfaktoren vereint mehr als 27 Jahre Erfahrung im Bereich Biologika mit innovativen Anwendungen auf den Gebieten Orthopädie, Dermatologie und personalisierte Medizin. Biopharm, ein Unternehmen im Privatbesitz, hat sich dem Ziel verschrieben, die Lebensqualität von Menschen zu verbessern, wissenschaftliche Spitzenleistung zu erzielen und nach höchsten Integritätsstandards zu operieren, um den sich ändernden Bedürfnissen des Gesundheitsmarktes weltweit gerecht zu werden.

Weitere Informationen finden Sie im Internet unter www.biopharm.de

Merck Serono

Merck Serono ist die biopharmazeutische Sparte der Merck KGaA. Mit Hauptsitz in Darmstadt bietet die Sparte führende Marken in 150 Ländern an, um Patienten mit Krebserkrankungen, Multipler Sklerose, Kinderwunsch, endokrinologischen Störungen, Stoffwechselerkrankungen sowie Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen zu helfen. In den Vereinigten Staaten und in Kanada handelt EMD Serono als rechtlich selbständige Tochtergesellschaft von Merck Serono.

Merck Serono erforscht, entwickelt, produziert und vermarktet verschreibungspflichtige Arzneimittel sowohl synthetischen als auch biologischen Ursprungs für Facharzt-Therapiegebiete. Wir engagieren uns unermüdlich für die Bereitstellung neuartiger Therapien in unseren Schwerpunktgebieten Neurologie, Onkologie, Immunonkologie und Immunologie.

Weitere Informationen finden Sie im Internet unter www.merckserono.com

Merck

Merck ist ein führendes Pharma-, Chemie- und Life-Science-Unternehmen mit Gesamterlösen von 11,2 Mrd € im Jahr 2012, einer Geschichte, die 1668 begann, und einer Zukunft, die annähernd 38.000 Mitarbeiter in 66 Ländern gestalten. Innovationen unternehmerisch denkender und handelnder Mitarbeiter charakterisieren den Erfolg. Merck bündelt die operativen Tätigkeiten unter dem Dach der Merck KGaA, an der die Familie Merck mittelbar zu rund 70% und freie Aktionäre zu rund 30% beteiligt sind. 1917 wurde die einstige US-Tochtergesellschaft Merck & Co. enteignet und ist seitdem ein von der Merck-Gruppe vollständig unabhängiges Unternehmen.

Kontakt

Dr. Frank Plöger, Chief Scientific Officer
06221-538358 / 0174-2095319
 fploeger@biopharm.de

Planegg, Germany, November 20, 2013 / B3C newswire / - AMSilk has developed the world’s first industrial manufacturing process for Spidersilk, a protein which is similar to natural spider silk. The biocompatible material is used as building block for super strong fibers, innovative medical devices, and dermatology products. Moreover, it is now for the first time available as cosmetic ingredient. Spidersilk is the first functional silk on the market tested and approved for cosmetic formulations. 

„Most products advertising with the word ‚silk’ only contain hydrolyzed protein which has been cut into pieces and thus lost almost all of the function and benefits of natural silk,“ says Dr. Ute Slotta, who has developed the Spidersilk formulations. „With our product we can now offer a truly functional silk formulation to cosmetic companies.”

Spidersilk adds smoothness and moisture management to the skin, leaving a silky feeling.  Formulations using Spidersilk microbeads make the skin appear softer.

“We are excited to have our production now at a point where we can supply the cosmetic industry with unique and functional new ingredients,” says Dr. Lin Roemer, co-founder and Head of Research and Development at AMSilk.

Besides supplying raw materials to cosmetic manufacturers, AMSilk is also testing a concept study within the European Union for special cosmetic products under www.spidersilk.info. 

Spidersilk is available as a powder, microbeads, and hydrogel. For sampling and product prices contact sales@amsilk.com.

For technical details go to:
http://www.amsilk.com/fileadmin/content/TechInsight_Cosmetics.pdf

 
About AMSilk
Spider silk has attracted man's interest for thousands of years, mainly due to its toughness and elasticity. The silk is biocompatible and can be used in formulations for specialized coatings, films, nonwovens and in pharmaceuticals. Spider silk has evolved over millions of years resulting in a combination of properties that far exceed any man-made material. AMSilk has developed a proprietary process for producing spider silk on an industrial scale. In March 2013 AMSilk had already announced that the company has produced the world’s first competitive man-made spider silk fiber, called Biosteel®, which is made entirely from recombinant silk proteins.

AMSilk was founded in 2008 and is located at the IZB in Planegg near Munich. AMSilk's investors are MIG Funds and AT Newtec, Munich. Projects are partially funded through grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology with project management provided by the PTJ and VDI.

AMSilk and Biosteel are registered trademarks of AMSilk GmbH, Germany

Contact

AMSilk GmbH
Axel H. Leimer
Managing Director
Am Klopferspitz 19 im IZB

82152 Planegg
Germany

Phone: +49 (0)89 38156-4430

Email: pr@amsilk.com

Madison, WI, USA, November 20, 2013 / B3C newswire / - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced the release of SeqCap EZ Exome Designs for target enrichment of the wheat, barley and maize genomes. These agriculture exome designs were developed with key opinion leaders in crop genome research. The goal is to provide researchers a cost-effective and easy-to-use alternative sequencing method beyond whole genome sequencing.

The Wheat Barley Exome Consortium (WBEC) worked closely with Roche NimbleGen to develop both the Wheat and Barley Exome Designs for public use. The WBEC is a collaboration of researchers from the University of Liverpool, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), James Hutton Institute, Kansas State University, University of Minnesota, University of Saskatchewan, and BIOGEMMA.  

The Maize Exome design resulted from the collaboration between Roche NimbleGen and researchers at Iowa State University and the University of Minnesota.  It is based on a comprehensive collection of the exon content from a range of North American lines of maize and maize relatives from the Zea genus.

“Using NimbleGen's target enrichment design in a maize GWAS study allowed us to focus our sequencing resources on the exome, which proved to be a more rapid and cost-effective method to identify trait associated loci over traditional detection methods,” said Dr. Patrick Schnable, Distinguished Professor and Director, Center for Plant Genomics at Iowa State University.

The advancement of plant genomics research is critical to agriculture, energy, forestry, environment and many other fields globally, where plant genomes bring a unique set of challenges to researchers. Whole genome sequencing, a commonly used approach, has been less than efficient for many applications as a cost-prohibitive and time-consuming process. With the availability of these crop exome designs, Roche NimbleGen is providing the agricultural research community an efficient tool for in-depth analysis of complex traits in genomes that are relevant to potential breeding programs.

“We are very pleased to have had this opportunity to work with leading plant genomics scientists to advance the study of the significant variations in crop genomes. The inherent advantages of the Roche NimbleGen enrichment technology enable us to continue to lead in custom designs and unconventional genomes," said Dan Zabrowski, Head of Roche Sequencing Unit. “This work is another step of our committed effort in expanding our product offerings for efficient and effective tools to advance genomic research in key areas including agricultural biology.”

For more information about Roche NimbleGen, please visit www.nimblegen.com.

About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, infectious diseases, inflammation, metabolism and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche's personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2012 Roche had over 82,000 employees worldwide and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 45.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

For life science research only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

NIMBLEGEN and SEQCAP are trademarks of Roche.

All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information please contact:
Roche Sequencing
Beth Button
Phone: +1 317 847 8172
Email: beth.button@roche.com

Raising Radiotherapy Standards and Improving Treatment of Patients With Cancer

Copenhagen, Denmark, November 21, 2013 / B3C newswire / - Nanovi is developing products based on advanced biomaterials for use in the treatment of cancer. Nanovi’s first product (BioXmark™) is an injectable tissue liquid marker, used to improve accuracy in the radiation treatment of patients with cancer. BioXmark™ has the potential to increase radiotherapy quality with minimal changes in today’s procedures and equipment. It will be available for commercial use in Europe around 2015 with clinical data to document its benefit.

“We have followed Nanovi over some time and are pleased to see it progress as planned” says Jón Ingi Benediktsson, Investment Manager, SEED Capital.

SEED Capital invested in Nanovi earlier this year and Vækstfonden has just joined in a second closing. Nanovi has obtained support for a fully funded plan to proof-of-sale for its first product. The first committed investment of EUR 0.6 million will bring Nanovi to a proof-of-concept for BioXmark™.

“We are excited about the investment in Nanovi as its technology is on the forefront of innovation in a field with high needs of new solutions that can improve radiation therapy. Furthermore, the Nanovi team is very experienced and competent” says Jesper Roested, Investment Director, Vækstfonden.

The sales potential for BioXmark™ is EUR 100 million, in a market that can be served by a very small focused sales force. The potential of Nanovi’s new technology reach into a much larger market exceeding a potential of EUR 10 billion. The number of radiotherapy procedures performed worldwide, in which a marker will have a relevant impact on the outcome of treatment, is roughly 1 million therapy procedures per year. About half of the procedures are performed in patients with prostate and lung cancer, distributed about the same between patients with these two types of cancer. The other half of the treatment procedures are conducted in patients with other forms of cancer.

“We are very pleased to have secured good investors on board with a plan to fund the company the entire way to proof-of-sales. It allows us to focus on developing our company.” says Morten Albrechtsen, CEO and co-founder.

 
For enquiries please contact:

Nanovi
Morten Albrechtsen, CEO
+45 24 25 62 66
www.nanovi.dk

SEED Capital
Jón Ingi Benediktsson, Investment Manager
+45 40 28 00 48
www.seedcapital.dk

Vækstfonden
Jesper Roested, Investment Director
+45 35 29 86 00
www.vf.dk

Notes for Editors (incl. backgrounder and quotes)

Cancer and Nanovi’s Role in Therapy
Cancer is a devastating disease that afflicts individuals and society. There are three different types of treatment modalities (radiotherapy, surgical treatment, and chemotherapy) which are offered alone or in combination to treat patients with cancer. Radiotherapy is the most cost-effective way to treat localized solid tumours, and more than 50% of patients receive this at least once after being diagnosed with cancer. Modern radiotherapy relies on advanced, high-precision imaging techniques (e.g., CT, PET, and MRI), which enable the delivery of high radiation doses with high precision to a defined target. The challenge in radiotherapy is to administer a sufficient high dose to kill all cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissue.

The lack of a good marker means that: (1) the cancer cells are not exposed to radiation, and the Tumour Control Probability decreases with risk of relapse of the cancer and death of the patient, and (2) Normal Tissue Complication Probability increases, and the side-effects become further increased and more severe. A good marker being available for pre-treatment planning and image-guided radiotherapy is currently a huge obstacle for getting the best result from radiotherapy treatment.

“We see a huge need for the individual patients and society to improve the treatment of cancer. Radiotherapy is an important element in the treatment and we see a large potential in improving this treatment. Our participation in the Nanoguide project may yield such improvements which we look forward to test clinically to determine their optimal use in the treatment of these patients” says Lena Specht MD DMSc, Professor of Oncology, Rigshospitalet.

Nanoguide
In November 2011, a consortium headed by Nanovi co-founder and technology inventor Professor Thomas L. Andresen was awarded a €3.5 million grant (“Nanoguide”) from the Danish Council for Strategic Research (DSF) with participation of Nanovi. The vision of Nanoguide is to develop local and systemic markers, develop multi-image-modality markers and to evaluate further use of innovative technology for diagnostic and therapeutic uses.

“We are pleased to work with among others Nanovi as part of the €3.5 million Nanoguide grant from the Danish Council for Strategic Research ( “Dansk Strategisk Forskningsråd”) with the aim to develop new local and systemic markers and evaluate them clinically to improve the radiation treatment of patients with cancer ” says Lena Specht MD DMSc, Professor of Oncology, Rigshospitalet.

Technology
BioXmark™ is an injectable liquid marker that solidifies after being injected, forming a large 3D object easy to recognise and target. No liquid marker exists today which produces a high contrast for 2D use. None of the current markers that are out now have succeeded in being used for routine treatment of patients other than those with prostate cancer. The problem in lung cancer, for example, is that inserting the marker may puncture the lung, causing it to collapse. An unmet medical need exists for a marker that can be used in the treatment of other cancers than prostate cancer.

BioXmark™ is set apart from others by a high contrast level per volume and creates a large 3D object when injected. It’s easier to be seen on image modalities, such as: Ultra Sound, MRI, CT and 2D X-ray such as e.g. ExacTrac and fluoroscopy. Only a small amount is needed due to its high electron density and it can be injection through a thin needle which may reduce the risk for pneumothorax in lung cancer.

Nanovi is based on a technology that was developed by Nanovi invented by Professor Thomas L Andresen from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology (DTU Nanotech). The establishment and successful funding of Nanovi is an important achievement for DTU helping to form new and potential high growth companies to the benefit of the European/Danish society. In terms of creating future businesses and tax income.

“I am pleased to see Nanovi getting off the ground as it has the right elements to become a successful high growth company” says Mogens Rysholt Poulsen, Director of DTU Nanotech.

“I am pleased to see my scientific work transformed into a product that can benefit the patients and society and look forward to participating in the successful commercialisation of our research” says Professor Thomas L. Andresen, DTU Nanotech.

About SEED Capital
SEED Capital is the largest venture fund in Denmark within the pre-seed and seed segment, and specializes in identifying and developing new and innovative technology companies. SEED Capital manages both private venture capital and public funds with DTU Symbion Innovation. SEED Capital manages approx. 1.8 billion DKK and has about 65 companies in its portfolio.
Learn more about SEED Capital at www.seedcapital.dk

About Vækstfonden
Vækstfonden is a state investment fund, which aims at creating new growth companies by providing venture capital and expertise.

Since 1992, Vækstfonden has, in cooperation with private investors, co-financed growth in 4, 500 Danish companies, with a total commitment of approx. DKK 12 billion.

Vækstfonden invests equity or provides loans and guarantees in collaboration with private partners and Danish financial institutions.

The companies which Vækstfonden has co-financed since 2001 employ around 20,000 people in Denmark.

Recognition by industry and non-industry experts as unique Orphan Drug partner

Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, November 21, 2013 / B3C newswire / – The PSR-Agility Orphan Drug Development partnership has been awarded “Best Orphan Drug Contract Research Organisation” in the Rare & Orphan Advocacy and Research (ROAR) Awards ( http://goo.gl/IYCTg8).

The ROAR Awards were announced during the 4th Annual World Orphan Drug Congress Europe, November 14-15, 2013, in Geneva, Switzerland. The inaugural 2013 awards are an opportunity to recognize and honour achievements by organizations and individuals from industry, patient and rare disease advocacy communities.

“Winning this award as the PSR-Agility Orphan Drug Development partnership is an important acknowledgement for our pioneering work in the rare disease community over the last 5 years,” says Roger Legtenberg, CEO of PSR Orphan Experts.  “As a unique specialized service provider, our way of integrating innovative regulatory & clinical approaches and reaching crucial milestones for our clients has been the basis for winning this award. Our staff are all fully committed to the rare disease cause, taking part in fundraising events and other supportive activities. 

“We established the PSR-Agility partnership so that our combined efforts in Europe and North America could make a difference for companies that are developing therapies for orphan products,” says Ellen Morgan, CEO of Agility.  “Winning this award is a great confirmation that our efforts are working, and has made us even more motivated to continue our efforts.”

Orphan drugs present fundamentally different regulatory and operational challenges compared to their traditional counterparts. PSR-Agility Orphan Drug Development specializes in assisting companies to develop efficiencies and economies of scale to bring innovative new orphan products to market, thereby helping patients with rare diseases. Building successful partnerships with all stakeholders, including patient organizations, industry and key opinion leaders is of crucial importance.  This is exemplified by the DevelopAKUre consortium, of which PSR Orphan Experts is one of the partners, winning a ROAR Award of the “Best European Industry-Patient Organisation Engagement”.

About PSR-Agility Orphan Drug Development
PSR Orphan Experts and Agility Clinical partnered early 2013 in order to benefit from a unique synergy and extend the partnership’s capabilities across the Atlantic.
PSR Orphan Experts was established in 1998 and has become a leading expert in orphan drug development in Europe. Agility Clinical, founded in April 2012 with an experienced executive management team, specializes in orphan drug development in North America.
PSR-Agility’s mission is to help small and virtual pre-clinical and clinical stage companies design and execute successful clinical development programs for orphan indications.
The partnership specializes in complex clinical development programs requiring innovative regulatory and clinical approaches.  In addition to consulting, the partnership provides customized full clinical trial services including project management, clinical operations, data management, biostatistics, medical, regulatory, and scientific affairs, and medical writing. PSR-Agility has a true appreciation for the challenges its clients face in obtaining the expertise they need.
For more information, please visit  http://www.orphandrugexperts.com and www.agility-clinical.com.

Media contact:

Roger J. Legtenberg
Chief Executive Officer
PSR Orphan Experts
+31 23 556 3221
roger.legtenberg@psr-group.com

Planegg, Germany, November 29, 2013 / B3C newswire / - AMSilk’s co-founder Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheibel receives the 2013 DECHEMA award of the Max-Buchner-Research-Foundation for his work on spider silk. The award will be presented at a special festive event at DECHEMA headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany on November 29th 2013.

DECHEMA is the German Society for Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. The DECHEMA award includes price money of 20.000 Euro.

Prof. Scheibel is one the world’s leading scientists studying how spider silk works and how it can be manufactured by biotechnological processes. While he is focused on basic research, the results of his work laid the foundation for AMSilk, a German company which focuses on turning state-of-art research results into real life products, such as high performance fibers, wound care products and medical devices.  One of his key discoveries is that silicone implants coated with recombinant spider silk protein are better accepted by the body and thereby undesirable side effects are reduced.

Prof. Scheibel is full professor at the chair of biomaterials at the University of Bayreuth in Germany. 

 
About AMSilk
Spider silk has attracted man's interest for thousands of years, mainly due to its toughness and elasticity. The silk is biocompatible and can be used in formulations for specialized coatings, films, nonwovens and in pharmaceuticals. Spider silk has evolved over millions of years resulting in a combination of properties that far exceed any man-made material. AMSilk has developed a proprietary process for producing spider silk on an industrial scale. In March 2013 AMSilk had already announced that the company has produced the world’s first competitive man-made spider silk fiber, called Biosteel®, which is made entirely from recombinant silk proteins.

AMSilk was founded in 2008 and is located at the IZB in Planegg near Munich. AMSilk's investors are MIG Funds and AT Newtec, Munich. Projects are partially funded through grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology with project management provided by the PTJ and VDI.

AMSilk and Biosteel are registered trademarks of AMSilk GmbH, Germany

Contact:

AMSilk GmbH
Axel H. Leimer
Managing Director
Am Klopferspitz 19 im IZB
82152 Planegg
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)89 38156-4430
Email: pr@amsilk.com

Munich/Martinsried, Germany, December 2, 2013 / B3C newswire / -ProJect Pharmaceutics announces that it has signed a development agreement with ImevaX, a spin-off project from the research group of Prof. Dr. Markus Gerhard from the Technische Universität München, Institute for Medicinal Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, aimed at developing a formulation for a recombinant vaccine against Helicobacter pylori. IMX101 is a multicomponent vaccine, making the formulation development particularly challenging.

The contract covers activities in developing a rational formulation based on ProJect Pharmaceutics´ Predictive Formulation Analytics. This technology offers an innovative scientific approach for designing optimized protein formulations by determining the most favorable composition for the native structure of the protein with regard to its intra- and intermolecular physicochemical properties. By analyzing the response to certain excipients the most promising formulation candidates can be identified quickly and reliably reducing the need for extensive stability testing.

Promising formulation candidates have successfully been evaluated and are continuously optimized within the development program since its launch in mid 2013.

Financial terms of the current agreement are not disclosed.

 
About ProJect Pharmaceutics
ProJect Pharmaceutics, based in Martinsried/Munich, Germany, transforms proteins, peptides and cytotoxic molecules into pioneering drugs. ProJect Pharmaceutics adds value to client´s bio-pharmaceutical products by applying innovative concepts of pharmaceutical development.
ProJect Pharmaceutics makes sure that investigational products as well as new presentations of registered drugs are developed effectively and will run smoothly in clinical and commercial scale GMP manufacturing.

About ImevaX
As part of the GO-Bio start up program of the German Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF), the TUM-based Spin-off project ImevaX from the research group of Prof. Dr. Markus Gerhard from the Technische Universität München, Institue for Medicinal Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, develops highly specific vaccines against pathogens that cause chronic infectious diseases. Its technology identifies immune modulatory bacterial factors that are then used to develop effective vaccines against infections of global relevance. ImevaX is planned to be founded as a biotech company in 2014.

Contacts

ProJect Pharmaceutics GmbH
Fraunhoferstraße 22
D-82152 Martinsried
+49 (0) 89 452289700
Dr. Andreas Schütz: andreas.schuetz@project-pharmaceutics.com 
Klaus Hellerbrand: klaus.hellerbrand@project-pharmaceutics.com

ImevaX
Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene
Trogerstraße 30
D-81675 München
+49 (0) 89 4140 2477
Prof. Dr. Markus Gerhard: markus.gerhard@imevax.com 

Gelsenkirchen, Germany, December 3, 2013 / B3C newswire / - Protectimmun GmbH has successfully discussed the overall clinical development plan for its innovative allergy prophylaxis against hay fever and allergic asthma in a Scientific Advice Meeting with the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The Agency agreed to the biological rationale of the allergy prevention concept and endorses the proposed key elements of the clinical safety and efficacy studies including study population, duration, and endpoints.

"We are very pleased to get this favourable opinion from EMA’s medical experts”, says Marion Kauth, CEO and co-founder of Protectimmun. "It is the reward for our efforts to elaborate the complete development plan for this first-in-class innovation at the earliest and to carefully consider the special issues for a preventive approach in children.”

Nose drops for the prevention of hay fever and asthma

Protectimmun is a pharmaceutical R&D company focussed on new approaches in the prevention and therapy of allergic and chronic inflammatory diseases. Its lead development is a first-in-class medicinal product that may offer long-lasting protection against the development of hay fever and allergic asthma in infants. The product contains probiotic bacteria from a specific farm environment and will be applied as nose drops. Application via the nasal mucosa mimics the natural exposure of farm children by intensive barn contact in early life that has been shown to be allergy-protective in large epidemiological studies. More than 5 million infants would be eligible for this preventive treatment in Europe and the USA each year.

Professor Albrecht Bufe, paediatrician and co-founder of the company, comments: „Allergic airway diseases have been steadily increasing over the last 60 years and treatment options are so far quite limited. Therefore, a safe and effective primary prophylaxis is a significant unmet medical need. Nowadays, every child in Europe and North America has a 20% risk of developing allergic airway disease and this risk increases up to 70% for children of allergic parents.”

Broad proof-of-concept has been established in relevant animal models and pre-clinical toxicity and safety testing has successfully been completed so that the project is prepared to enter the clinical Phase. “Having met this milestone we are looking forward to discuss the project with investors and established companies for partnering to expedite the clinical development”, states Marion Kauth.

Contact Information
Protectimmun GmbH
Dr. Marion Kauth
Chief Executive Officer
Tel.: +49 (0)209 38971363
e-mail: info@protectimmun.de
http://www.protectimmun.de

Dortmund, Germany, December 3, 2013 / B3C newswire / -Protagen announced today that a collaboration agreement with Pfizer Inc. has been signed. Under the collaboration, Protagen will use its proprietary SeroTag® process to attempt to discover prediction or patient stratification markers for a novel drug being developed by Pfizer.

Protagen CEO Stefan Müllner comments, “The current agreement shows that the SeroTag® process of Protagen is relevant technology to explore novel biomarkers in support of clinical development in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We look forward to a productive and collaborative relationship with Pfizer's R&D team.”

About Protagen
PROTAGEN is a pioneer in the development of novel diagnostic products to support personalized therapies, and the clinical development of new drugs in autoimmune diseases. The unique SeroTag® process addresses the unmet need to deliver specific biomarkers with clinical utility for treatment response prediction, disease activity monitoring, and companion diagnostics (CDx). SeroTag® has been successfully employed for marker discovery and patient stratification in various autoimmune diseases such as RA, SLE, MS and related disorders.

Contact
Dr. Stefan Müllner
CEO
Protagen AG
Otto-Hahn-Str. 15
44227 Dortmund
T: +49 (0) 231 9742 6300
F: +49 (0) 231 9742 6301
bd@protagen.com

Press Inquiries
Dr. Georg Lautscham
CBO
Protagen AG
Otto-Hahn-Str. 15
44227 Dortmund
T:+49 (0) 231 9742 6300
F:+49 (0) 231 9742 6301
bd@protagen.com

Parsippany, USA, December 3, 2013 / B3C newswire / - DSM Pharmaceutical Products, the custom manufacturing and technology business of Royal DSM (NYSE, Euronext: DSM KON), announced today that it has signed an agreement with Tunitas Therapeutics of San Francisco, USA.

The contract covers the initiation of process development activities by DSM for Tunitas' lead Fc-fusion protein for the treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases. This project represents an agreement for DSM Biologics' Groningen, The Netherlands, facility for development where the intended manufacturing site is DSM Biologics' Brisbane, Australia, facility. Tunitas is an early stage drug development company dedicated to the discovery and development of a broad platform of therapeutic proteins for allergies. Tunitas has now permanently established a subsidiary Tunitas Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd in Melbourne, Australia.

"We are delighted to be working with DSM Biologics for the production of Tunitas' first clinical candidate." said Nolan Sigal, President and CEO of Tunitas Therapeutics. "DSM has an outstanding and well-earned reputation for the production of biologics of the highest quality. Furthermore, the opening of the DSM's state-of-the-art facility in Brisbane, Australia fits nicely with our strategy to begin development activities in Australia."

Manja Bouman, President of DSM Biologics, commented “It is an honor to support the development of Tunitas' promising drug candidate from our facilities in Groningen and Australia. We are impressed with the potential of this product and the health benefit to treat the millions of patients whose asthma is poorly-controlled on their current therapeutic regimens."

DSM Biologics, a business unit of DSM Pharmaceutical Products, focuses on optimizing mammalian-based biopharmaceutical manufacturing through its unique set of technologies and expertise. In addition to an R&D and manufacturing site in Groningen, The Netherlands, DSM has opened operations in Brisbane, Australia, with the support of the Governments of Queensland and the Commonwealth. The Brisbane facility is DSM's blueprint for its 'biologics plant of the future' for the production of biopharmaceuticals. DSM's proprietary technologies drive down cost, processing times and capital requirements to meet market demand for developing affordable lifesaving medications.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Tunitas Therapeutics
Tunitas Therapeutics, Inc. (San Francisco) is a privately held biopharmaceutical company that is developing novel and precisely targeted protein therapeutics with the potential to dramatically change the lives of allergy suffers.  The company’s therapeutic approach offers the potential for long-lasting treatments with safer, faster efficacy than conventional therapies, since they are capable of altering the natural course of such allergic diseases as food allergies, rhinitis and asthma. With close to $10 million raised to date in non-dilutive financing through peer-reviewed grants, Tunitas has successfully executed its capital efficient, semi-virtual business model. For more information on Tunitas Therapeutics, please visit the company’s website at www.tunitastherapeutics.com 

DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 23,000 employees deliver annual net sales of about € 9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsmbiologics.com and http://www.dsm.com.

Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM’s future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading.

For more information:

Guy Tiene
Director, Marketing and Communications
DSM Pharmaceutical Products
tel. +1 973 257 8160
email guy.tiene@dsm.com

Regensburg, Germany, December 4, 2013 / B3C newswire / – Lophius Biosciences GmbH, a privately held biotech company developing and marketing innovative T cell-based diagnostic systems for the early diagnosis and immunomonitoring, today announced that Dr. Robert Phelps has joined the Company as Director Business Operations.

Dr. Phelps has more than thirteen years successful international experiences in business development and licensing in the biotech and pharma industry. Lastly, he has been Head of Business Development & Licensing at SuppreMol GmbH in Munich, where he was responsible for all business development and licensing activities relating to the company’s clinical drug development candidates. Previous to that, he has held business development and licensing positions at various biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Phelps received his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Frankfurt and the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut in Germany, held a research position as a post-doctoral fellow at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (SC), USA, and holds the Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) credentials.

"With his longstanding experience in business development and licensing, we are happy that we were able to get Robert on board" said Prof. Ralf Wagner, Managing Director of Lophius Biosciences. “He is a valuable addition to our team and will be instrumental in supporting our efforts to exploit the excellent development and marketing opportunities for our T cell-based diagnostic systems such as T-Track® CMV."

"I am very happy to join Lophius," Dr. Phelps added. "The Company has been highly successful in transforming their T cell monitoring platform technologies into viable products enabling doctors to individually adjust prophylactic and immunosuppressive therapy e.g. during solid organ and bone marrow transplantation to the benefit of patients. I am extremely impressed by the potential of their platform technologies and their deep product pipeline.”

About Lophius Biosciences
Lophius Biosciences GmbH, a German biotech company, is focusing on the development and marketing of innovative T-cell based diagnostic systems for diagnosis and immunomonitoring. The Company’s first product is T-Track® CMV, a diagnostic system intended to determine the functionality of the cell-mediated immune response in cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositive transplant patients who undergo a immunosuppressive therapy. With its innovative products, the Company aims to significantly improve therapy control and personalized treatment of patients in the area of transplantation medicine, infectious and autoimmune diseases.

Contact

Dr. Robert Phelps
Director Business Operations
Lophius Biosciences GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)941 6309197-80
robert.phelps@lophius.com

Irish led Advanced Materials for Cardiac Regeneration (AMCARE) brings together ten European industry and academic partners to tackle the number one cause of death globally

December 4, 2013 / B3C newswire / - Major new EU funding for research into heart disease was announced today by a group led by RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) and AMBER. The AMCARE (Advanced Materials for CArdiac REgeneration) consortium involves ten partners from five European countries and has received €8.7 million in total funding (€6.8 million direct EU contribution) as part of the European Union's Framework Programme 7, Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies.

The AMCARE programme, which will create ten new positions, will carry out research to develop natural materials and new surgical devices to enhance the delivery of the body’s own stem cells to the heart to promote healing after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) and prevent premature death. The therapies being developed will replace heart cells that die due to the reduced blood flow that occurs during a heart attack, with new healthy cells derived from stem cells that come from the patient’s own bone marrow. 

The European Society of Cardiology estimates that one in every six men and one in every seven women in Europe will die from a myocardial infarction and according to the Irish Heart Foundation, approximately 10,000 people die in Ireland every year from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including heart disease, stroke and other circulatory diseases. The most common cause of death in Ireland (33%), CVD is the number one cause of death globally, killing an estimated 17 million people each year according to World Health Organisation.

AMCARE is co-ordinated by Dr. Garry Duffy, Department of Anatomy and Tissue Engineering Research Group, RCSI and AMBER Investigator. AMBER (Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Research), the newly established Science Foundation Ireland funded research centre will lead specific tasks in the consortium, tackling surgical device design, nanotechnology safety and drug delivery.

Dr. Garry Duffy commented on the research funding: ‘We are delighted to lead the AMCARE programme and to translate new collaborative research for the benefit of patients with heart disease. Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of patients who have suffered a heart attack, and through AMCARE we will develop new technologies to enhance stem cell therapies for these patients by increasing targeting and ease of delivery using advanced biomaterials.’  

The AMCARE Consortium represents a major interdisciplinary effort between stem cell biologists, experts in advanced drug delivery, research scientists, clinicians and research-active companies working together to develop novel therapeutics to address the challenges of treating acute heart disease. The researchers will optimise adult stem cell therapy using smart biomaterials and advanced drug delivery, and couple these therapeutics with minimally-invasive surgical devices.

RCSI researchers involved in the consortium include Dr Helena Kelly (Deputy Co-ordinator) and Professor Sally-Ann Cryan, RCSI School of Pharmacy and will work with Drs Garry Duffy, Bruce Murphy and Adriele Prina-Mello from AMBER.  

Welcoming the announcement, Professor Ray Stallings, Director of Research at RCSI said: ‘RCSI’s leadership of the AMCARE consortium builds on the College’s expertise in regenerative medicine and industrial collaboration.  This new programme will help accelerate the development of new treatments for the benefit of patients, in keeping with our strategy of bench to bedside translational research.’

The programme is an SME (Small Medium Enterprise) targeted collaborative project and the consortium members include a number of European SMEs; AdjuCor GmbH (Germany), Cardio3Biosciences (Belgium), Contipro (Czech Republic), Explora BioTech (Italy), INNOVA (Italy). In addition the consortium includes a number of other leading academic institutions; Trinity College Dublin, the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology and the Eberhard Karls Universitat Tübingen in Germany and the multinational company Boston Scientific based in Galway, Ireland.

The project, which has received €6.8 million direct EU contribution, is funded by the European Union's ‘Seventh Framework' Programme (FP7/ http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html ) under Grant Agreement n°NMP3-SME-2013-604531 from November 2013 to October 2018.

Founded in 1784, RCSI’s mission is to develop healthcare leaders who make a difference worldwide. RCSI is a not-for-profit health sciences organisation which focuses on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide.  RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland.

About AMBER
AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) is a Science Foundation Ireland funded centre which provides a partnership between leading researchers in material science and industry to develop new materials and devices for a range of sectors, particularly the ICT, medical devices and industrial technology sectors. The centre is jointly hosted in Trinity College Dublin by CRANN and the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering , working in collaboration with University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. CRANN is the largest research institute within Trinity College Dublin. It has significant infrastructure, and brings together over 300 researchers from across the Schools of Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Medicine and Pharmacology. CRANN is focused on delivering world leading research and innovation – through extensive proactive collaborations with industry, the commercialisation of intellectual property and the education of next generation researchers.

For further information please contact

Jane Butler
Communications Officer, RCSI
01 402 8610 / 087 7531877
janebutler@rcsi.ie  

Niamh Burdett
Communications Manager, RCSI
01 402 2218 / 086 6086764

Copenhagen, Denmark, December 9, 2013 / B3C newswire / – Nuevolution A/S, a leading small molecule lead discovery company, today announced that Ton Berkien will join the company on January 1, 2014 as Chief Business Officer. In his role, Mr. Berkien will lead Nuevolutions commercial and business development efforts and as member of Executive Management, he will play a key part in the strategy planning going forward. His most recent position was at Takeda/Nycomed, where he was acting Head of Corporate Development/M&A. 

In 2012, Nuevolution announced a new financing round of € 11 Million to catalyze the establishing of an internal pipeline of drug candidates addressing therapeutically important targets within Oncology and Inflammation. During the last 12 months, Nuevolution has applied its efficient and validated lead discovery technology and has identified small molecule compounds for the first 10 internal target programs and has progressed two of these into lead optimization.

“The appointment of Ton has been made at a strategically important point in time for Nuevolution. During 2014, Nuevolution will be in a position to out-license its first internal programs and further programs will rapidly follow.” said Alex Gouliaev, CEO of Nuevolution A/S. “We are very pleased that Ton has accepted to join us and look forward to benefit from his expertise in the commercialization of Nuevolutions internal programs.”

“I am very pleased to join Nuevolution at such an exciting time for the company. Together with the strong management team, I look forward to contribute to the company’s accelerated growth by driving the commercial efforts forward”, says Ton Berkien. 

Most recently, Mr. Berkien served as Senior Director Corporate Development at Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, Switzerland, where he was responsible for several M&A transactions in the US, and Europe as well as in various Emerging Growth Markets like China, Brazil and Colombia. Prior to Takeda, he held a similar position at Nycomed Pharmaceuticals. During 2003-2007, Mr. Berkien was Director of Competitive Intelligence at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, where he was responsible CI project management in both the R&D and commercial organisation.. Earlier, Mr. Berkien held Senior Manager positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rijnconsult, KPMG and Gilde Investment Management. Mr. Berkien has a BA degree in Economics from the Saxion University of Applied Science in Holland, and an LSid from Harvard Business School/IMD/PwC.  

About Nuevolution
Nuevolution is a leading small molecule lead discovery company founded in 2001 and based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The company has developed Chemetics®, a unique, patent protected hybrid of proven wet chemistry and molecular biology which represents the ultimate fragment based drug discovery technology. Chemetics® enables rapid oligonucleotide e.g. DNA encoded synthesis of up to billions of chemically diverse drug-like small molecule compounds and the efficient screening of these, facilitating the identification of potent drug leads at unprecedented speed and scale.
Nuevolution partners its technology with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Nuevolution has entered into agreements with Merck & Co., Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim, where Lexicon Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline have entered into licensing agreements with Nuevolution. In a 4 million budgeted project supported by the Danish Advanced Technology Fund, Nuevolution has initiated hit-to-lead optimization efforts. Nuevolution has also entered a scientific collaboration by and between Duke University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals and Nuevolution. Most recently, Nuevolution announced a joint venture with Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the commercial arm of Cancer Research UK.
Nuevolution has demonstrated the power of Chemetics® by identification of highly potent and drug like novel ligands with the potential to address major unmet medical needs across a range of therapeutic areas and target classes. Nuevolutions internal programs are focused on therapeutically important targets within inflammation and oncology.
Nuevolution is a privately owned company by key Scandinavian investors, including SEB Venture Capital, Sunstone Capital, Industrifonden, SLS Invest, Novo Ventures and Innoventus Life Sciences.

Chemetics® is a registered trademark of Nuevolution.
Chemetics® is a patented technology of Nuevolution: EP1402024, US7,727,713, EP1487978, US7,413,854, EP1756277, EP1608748, US 7,915,201, EP1558744, AU2003273792, CN-ZL20038010476, HKHK1082742, IN213390, IL167531, JP4895608, ZA2005/02624, NZ538993, SG111515, US8,206,901, US7,704,925, EP1957644.
EP07114663.3, EP10184311.8, US12/330,709, EP08169346.7, US12/179,323, EP03766117.0, US10/523,006, US10/539,288, US13/179,283, EP09154197.9, AU2011226815, CA2,544,153, CN201210222023.8, EP10183942.1, EP10184069.2, HK11107861.8, HK11107866.3, IL207672, IL207673, IN178/MUMNP/2007, JP2010-226107, JP2013-155967, US11/402,957, US13/455,223, US10/572,644, EP10192716.8, EP10192717.6, US12/095,778, EP09765460.2, US12/999,267, EP11720372.9, IN9924/DELNP/2012, US13/641,588.

 
For further enquiries about Nuevolution please contact:

Nuevolution A/S
Alex Haahr Gouliaev, CEO
Phone: +45 7020 0987
ahg@nuevolution.com

Heidelberg, Germany, December 16, 2013 / B3C newswire / - In recognition of its excellent cluster management performance the BioRN Network was awarded the "Gold Label of Cluster Management Excellence" from the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) in the context of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI). BioRN had previously undergone an external evaluation of its cluster management structure and processes for several days. With this award, the organization also receives the "Cluster Excellence Baden-Württemberg" label from the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

In order to earn the quality labels, the work of the BioRN cluster management was evaluated on the basis of 34 criteria. These included the strength of its network, its service offers, its media presence, and the continuous evaluation of its cluster development. Based on the positive assessment of the external evaluators, BioRN was recommended for the European Gold Label as well as the "Cluster Excellence Baden-Württemberg" label.

"The two awards are a welcome recognition of our core competence: Bringing together partners from academia and industry in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region for the purpose of economic value creation," says Christian Tidona, managing director of BioRN. "At the same time, it is an incentive for us to now use our cluster management expertise, which we have developed during the German Leading-Edge Cluster Competition, to initiate and coordinate large pan-European consortia between the major players in health research and the health care industry."

The awards were presented on December 3, 2013, by Peter Hofelich, representative of the Ministry of Finance and Economics of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The "Cluster Excellence Baden-Württemberg" label and the EU Gold Label are awarded for a two-year period. Thereafter, BioRN will again undergo external evaluation.

About the BioRN Network e.V.
In the BioRN Network association, approximately 80 institutional partners have joined forces to promote the development of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region to make it one of the strongest locations for health research in Europe. Members are research institutions such as the University of Heidelberg, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), as well as major global enterprises such as Roche, BASF, Merck and AbbVie, biotech companies and service providers, municipalities and public institutions.

In 2007, the association initiated and coordinated the participation of the BioRN cluster in the Leading-Edge Cluster Competition of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research. The region won the competition as the only life science cluster in the first round in 2008.

Together with the Heidelberg Technology Park, the association is a shareholder of BioRN Cluster Management GmbH. The BioRN network is supported by its strategic partners, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Rhine-Neckar, the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region and the state of Baden-Württemberg.

About the quality label "Cluster Excellence Baden-Württemberg"
The quality label is intended to create an incentive for having one's own quality tested and evaluated. Excellent cluster managements are thus highlighted and receive an independent, voluntary quality certificate for two years.

About the "Gold Label of Cluster Management Excellence"
The Gold Label was developed in the framework of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) on behalf of the European Commission in order to guarantee comparability of the management of European cluster organizations. A differentiated, multi-stage procedure examines the strategy, structures and services of a cluster management.

Contact:

BioRN Network e.V.
Dr. Christian Tidona
Managing Director
Im Neuenheimer Feld 582
69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: +49 6221 649220
E-Mail: info@biorn-network.org
Website: www.biorn-network.org

Berlin, Germany, December 17, 2013 / B3C newswire / - ProBioGen announced that it has signed an agreement with Emergent BioSolutions for a non-exclusive commercial multi-product license and option agreement under which Emergent will be granted broad access to ProBioGen’s avian AGE1.CR® cell line. Previously, ProBioGen had granted an exclusive license to Emergent for four indications and also conducted process development work for Emergent. As a result of the new agreement, ProBioGen’s relationship with Emergent is now extended to include additional infectious disease targets, with the option to expand to numerous further indications. The commercial licenses include milestones and royalty payments. Financial details were not disclosed.

Volker Sandig, Chief Scientific Officer noted: “Innovative medicines against infectious diseases are urgently needed. We are convinced that the combination of ProBioGen’s AGE1.CR® cell line for production of MVA-based vaccines together with Emergent’s product development, manufacturing and marketing expertise will yield novel preventive and therapeutic products."

About the AGE1.CR® Cell Line
AGE1.CR® is an immortalized cell line derived from primary cells of a Muscovy Duck. The cell line was created as a platform for replacing primary chicken cells for production of vaccines and hyper-attenuated viruses in chemically defined media and suspension cultures. In addition, AGE1.CR® cells are also suitable for the generation of trans-complementing helper or packaging cell lines to support efficient production of replication-restricted viral vectors. (See e.g. Biologicals. 2011 Jan;39(1):50-8 “A chemically defined production process for highly attenuated poxviruses”)

About ProBioGen
ProBioGen is an internationally operating technology provider and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with almost 20 years of experience in cell culture, process development, and GMP-manufacturing. ProBioGen, with its scientific excellence and strong intellectual property base, is a competent and reliable CDMO partner, offering customized solutions for even the most challenging development and manufacturing requirements. This is backed by the company’s established, fee-for-service-based CHO cell and media platform, its GlymaxX® ADCC enhancement technology and its AGE1® family of animal and human designer cell lines. All services and technologies are embedded in a total quality management system to assure compliance with international ISO and GMP standards (EMA/FDA).
ProBioGen was founded 1994 and is located in Berlin, Germany.

Contact ProBioGen
Dr. Gabriele Schneider
Vice President Business Development
ProBioGen AG
Goethestrasse 54
13086 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0)30 924 006-0
Email: cmo@probiogen.de

Madison, WI, USA, December 19, 2013 / B3C newswire / - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and Kapa Biosystems announced today a partnership to provide an optimized NGS target enrichment workflow solution. Kapa Biosystems will custom manufacture NGS library preparation products for Roche NimbleGen to distribute to its customers.

Roche NimbleGen’s new offering combines KAPA Library Preparation Kits with Roche NimbleGen sequence capture products for complete workflow coverage, prior to sequencing. This validated protocol provides customers with the ability to work with low DNA quantity or quality, including FFPE DNA for whole exome or targeted sequencing. Compared to other workflows, this offering significantly reduces GC bias and obtains better molecular complexity, resulting in further improved enrichment performance.

“In addition to providing innovative technologies, Roche NimbleGen has always been committed to maximizing customer convenience, and we make every effort to achieve this goal,” said Rebecca Selzer, President, Roche NimbleGen, “now our customers have a complete and streamlined workflow solution, from the combination of two industry-leaders with a reputation of high performing products.”

“Our partnership with Roche NimbleGen brings together complementary, best-in-class products for target enrichment, enabling higher quality sequencing across a broad range of sample types and DNA inputs. We are committed to continuously providing customers with enhanced product functionality that addresses the growing diversity of sequencing applications,” said John Foskett, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Kapa Biosystems.

In addition to the KAPA Library Preparation Kits, Roche NimbleGen will also introduce other reagents in this offering to support the target enrichment workflow. All new products in this offering are available for ordering.

Terms and financials of the partnership were not disclosed.

About Kapa Biosystems
Kapa Biosystems is a life science reagents supplier that employs proprietary, directed evolution technologies to optimize enzymes for PCR, real-time PCR, next generation sequencing and molecular diagnostic applications. Kapa Biosystems offers a portfolio of best-in-class products containing novel enzymes that confer significant performance advantages when compared to traditional wild-type enzymes. The company is based in Wilmington, Massachusetts with a research, development and manufacturing facility in Cape Town, South Africa. For more information, please visit www.kapabiosystems.com

About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, infectious diseases, inflammation, metabolism and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche’s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2012 Roche had over 82,000 employees worldwide and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 45.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

NIMBLEGEN and SEQCAP are trademarks of Roche.
KAPA is a trademark of Kapa Biosystems.

All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information please contact:

Roche Sequencing
Beth Button
Phone: +1 317 847 5172
Email : beth.button@roche.com

Kapa Biosystems
Brian Komorous
Phone: +1 855 KAPABIO (527 2246)
Email: brian.komorous@kapabiosystems.com