CliniGenetics and the Catholic University of Louvain (K.U. Leuven) extend research partnership for vascular disease
Agreement highlights key role of the pig model, developed by K.U. Leuven and implemented by CliniGenetics

Nîmes (France), February 19, 2003 - CliniGenetics, a biopharmaceutical company that identifies and develops new targets and products for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, today announces it has extended its partnership agreement with the Catholic University of Louvain (K.U. Leuven). The agreement with K.U. Leuven Research & Development gives CliniGenetics exclusive rights to use K.U. Leuven's living pig reference model, the minipig, for development and exploitation in the field of cardiovascular diseases. Both partners say that the extension of the agreement follows a year's collaboration showing that the characteristics of this model accelerate the research and development process for innovative therapies.

The minipig model exhibits physiological and metabolic characteristics similar to those found in human beings. It was designed by and is proprietary to K.U. Leuven. CliniGenetics brings its own expertise to develop use of the model in the discovery process. The animal, weighing between 30-60 kilos, is the product of crossbreeding that has produced a reference stock for human cardiovascular diseases. By subjecting the minipig model to a nutritional diet similar to that of a human being, this model develops the same phases of atherogenesis as observed in humans.

CliniGenetics and K.U. Leuven have developed a complete phenotype using powerful proprietary bioinformatics tools developed by CliniGenetics (Express-Profiler[TM] and Vascular-Resolver[TM]). The phenotype has enabled CliniGenetics to identify and better understand the genes implicated in the expression of atherosclerosis. This model also enables qualitative testing of molecules developed by CliniGenetics. Current research being conducted on the pig model aims to extend the use of such research in other areas such as obesity and diabetes.


"This agreement paves the way for promising new developments in therapeutics as well as validating K.U. Leuven's own studies," said Professor Paul Holvoet, Director of the clinical experiment and anesthesiology laboratory at K.U. Leuven. "We are delighted to continue our partnership with CliniGenetics."

"Our partnership with K.U. Leuven and our research on the minipig animal model has enabled CliniGenetics to develop extremely powerful technology at a very early stage," said Jean-Louis Falco, CEO of CliniGenetics. "This will continue to accelerate our R&D process and allow us to explore important new areas in our research and development."

About CliniGenetics ( www.clinigenetics.com )
CliniGenetics SA is a biopharmaceutical company that identifies and develops new targets and products for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The company has developed and implemented in record time a fully operational and structured R&D organization to fully answer to the requirements of the market. CliniGenetics was formed in October 2000 by an international team of researchers. Directed by Jean-Louis Falco, who has solid management experience, and Gérard Marguerie, who heads the scientific direction of the company, CliniGenetics is headquartered in Nîmes, France.

For further information:
Keren Perrott, Andrew Lloyd & Associates Ltd
+44 1273 675100
keren@ala.com

Andrew Lloyd, Andrew Lloyd & Associates Ltd
+44 1273 675100
allo@ala.com 
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