Gene Pharming Europe acquires casein promoter patents from Biogen

Business Wire, Jan 24, 1995

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 1995--GenPharm International's European affiliate, Gene Pharming Europe B.V., (Leiden, The Netherlands) announced Tuesday the acquisition from Biogen Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) of U.S. patent No. 4,873,316 and corresponding U.S. and international patent filings.

This patent family is based on research conducted by Drs. Harry Meade and Nils Lonberg. Patented claims cover processes for producing proteins in the milk of transgenic animals using casein promoters. These promoters are widely used for mammary gland-specific, high-level production of biomedical proteins.

Gene Pharming Europe now owns two U.S. patents covering fundamental technology for production of proteins in the milk of transgenic animals. With the issuance of U.S. Patent 5,304,489, in April of 1994, Gene Pharming Europe became the first transgenic farm animal company to achieve patent protection in the United States for its protein production technology.

This patent, originating from the work of Dr. Jeffrey Rosen, covers gene constructs incorporating a casein promoter and certain other elements.

Gene Pharming Europe is the leader in the development of transgenic dairy cattle for production of biomedical proteins in milk. The company's current product development portfolio includes human lactoferrin and human lysozyme for treatment or prevention of bacterial gastro-intestinal infections, human collagen for tissue repair applications and human serum albumin for treatment of severe trauma.

George J.M. Hersbach, president and chief operating officer of Gene Pharming Europe, commented: "Given today's highly competitive biotech environment, Gene Pharming Europe fully recognizes the importance of having a strong intellectual property portfolio. This acquisition illustrates our continuing commitment to maintain our leadership position. We will pursue vigorously further patents from the many applications which we still have outstanding worldwide."

The agreement between Gene Pharming Europe and Biogen also involves Genzyme Transgenics Corp. (Framingham, Mass.), originally Gene Pharming's co-licensee to the Meade/Lonberg portfolio. The three companies have agreed on terms and conditions under which Genzyme Transgenics continues to be licensed under that portfolio, but now from Gene Pharming Europe. (See accompanying press release.)

GenPharm International Inc. is a leader in the research and development of transgenic animal technology for human health care products. The company's three areas of focus are transgenic dairy cattle for producing biomedical proteins, transgenic mice for generating human monoclonal antibodies for pharmaceutical use and transgenic mice and rats for use in the discovery and testing of new drugs.

CONTACT: GenPharm International Inc.

Jonathan J. MacQuitty, 415/964-7024

Gene Pharming Europe B.V.

George Hersbach, 31 (71) 247-400/408