Isogenica enters into a research and licence option agreement with UCB

Cambridge, UK, 6 November 2006: Isogenica Ltd today announced that it had entered into a research and licence option agreement with UCB for the discovery of novel peptide ligands which UCB intends to incorporate into therapeutic products.

Under the terms of the agreement, Isogenica will use its CIS display technology to select peptide ligands to an undisclosed target to be provided by UCB. UCB will then have an option to advance into clinical development any product that contains a peptide ligand discovered during the collaboration.

Isogenica's CIS display technology provides a novel and effective means of rapidly identifying peptides that bind with high affinity and specificity to any given molecular target. The technology can also be used for enhancing the in vivo performance of peptide therapeutic and diagnostic products.

"We look forward to building a strong and fruitful relationship with UCB and in assisting them with their therapeutic discovery activities" said Dr. Kevin FitzGerald, Isogenica's CEO. "We believe that peptides, and especially those discovered and matured for enhanced in vivo performance using CIS display technology, represent a very rich source of compounds for therapeutic and other in vivo applications."


"As a biopharmaceutical leader, UCB is committed to continuously enhancing its drug development," commented Neil Weir, Vice President, Research, UCB. "UCB is looking forward to working in close collaboration with Isogenica. The CIS display technology will provide UCB with a valuable source of novel peptides which have been selected to meet specific criteria for in vivo applications".

The parties have agreed not to disclose any further details of the research and licence option agreement.

- Ends -

Contact details:

Isogenica Ltd
Kevin FitzGerald, PhD MBA
+44 (0) 1223 496720
kevin.fitzgerald@isogenica.com 

Northbank Communications
Katja Stout/Gemma Bradley
Tel : +44 (0)20 7886 7555
E-mail: g.bradley@northbankcommunications.com

Notes to editors

About Isogenica

Isogenica was formed in December 2000 to develop and commercialize innovative in vitro molecular evolution technologies. The company has its research facility at the Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge UK.

Isogenica's core technology, CIS display, can be applied to the discovery of new antibody, peptide and polypeptide drug candidates, to the discovery of high specificity diagnostic compounds and to the isolation of target validation and other research reagents, purification reagents and environmental detection reagents.

About UCB

UCB ( www.ucb-group.com ) is a leading global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialisation of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflammatory disorders and oncology - UCB focuses on securing a leading position in severe disease categories. Employing over 8,300 people in 40 countries, UCB achieved revenue of 2.3 billion euro in 2005. UCB is listed on the Euronext Brussels Exchange.