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Hamburg, Germany, January 8, 2004
Strathmann Biotec AG and Qiagen NV (Nasdaq: QGENF; Frankfurt, Prime Standard: QIA) have signed a manufacturing agreement with Corautus
Genetics Inc. (AMEX: CAQ) to produce VEGF-2 plasmid for anticipated Phase III
trials and future commercial use.
The
VEGF-2 plasmid will be produced at Strathmann’s newly-built facility in
Dengelsberg, Germany. The
facility was designed and built specifically for plasmid DNA production. Dr.
Bert Behnke, Chief Scientific Officer of Strathmann, stated, “We are very
pleased that Corautus has chosen us to manufacture their product which will be
used to help treat cardiovascular disease. Our state-of-the-art facility is
ideal for producing the high-quality VEGF-2 plasmid that will be required to
comply with the standards of the regulatory agencies.” Corautus’ therapy, which is
considered regenerative medicine, seeks to treat the underlying causes of
severe coronary artery disease through direct injection of VEGF-2 into
ischemic cardiac muscle. Based on data from earlier clinical trials – Phase
I and IIa have been completed – Corautus believes that when VEGF-2 is
introduced into ischemic cardiac muscle, it will stimulate the growth of new
blood vessels and improve cardiac function. The VEGF-2 is delivered via a
non-viral vector system in which the naked DNA plasmid is injected directly
into the tissue where the gene transfer occurs. The Company believes that
there are several advantages to this over other gene transfer delivery systems
including minimal side effects and the fact that the gene is not inserted into
the genome. Richard Otto , Chief Executive Officer of Corautus, commented, “We thoroughly evaluated various potential manufacturing partners, and are confident that QIAGEN and Strathmann are best-suited to meet Corautus’ scientific specifications, quality requirements and development schedule.” Dr.
Joachim Schorr, QIAGEN’s Managing Director and Senior Vice President Global
Research & Development, noted, “We have completed numerous projects with
Strathmann for pre-clinical and clinical trials. Strathmann’s strong plasmid
DNA manufacturing capabilities combined with QIAGEN’s expertise in nucleic
acid purification, reflected in our products and technologies, addresses the
highest requirements in purity and efficiency of plasmid DNA manufacturing for
gene therapy applications.” Strathmann
Biotec AG and QIAGEN have a cooperation, providing GMP manufacturing services
for plasmid DNA to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries under QIAGEN’s
brand pAlliance. During this cooperation SBAG will provide its expertise in
manufacturing pharma grade plasmid DNA according to GMP guidelines making
available production capacities in Hannover, and in the ultra-modern
Biotechnology Center Dengelsberg, located close to Kiel, Germany. QIAGEN will
provide its proprietary process technology as well as its sales force for global
marketing activities. Both companies work jointly on continuous process
enhancement. About Strathmann Biotec Strathmann
Biotec AG is an expanding biotechnology company based in Hamburg, Germany.
Founded in 1987 as Pharma Biotechnologie Hannover, it was one of the first
manufacturers of recombinant proteins in Germany. Since 1997 it is part of the
Strathmann Group and a subsidiary of Strathmann AG, a leading mid-sized
pharmaceutical company in Germany. Strathmann Biotec offers its contract
development and contract manufacturing services to international customers from
the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
The company has long-standing experience in the area of protein
expression systems, plasmid DNA technologies as well as in manufacturing
according to GMP guidelines. Further information on Strathmann Biotec AG can be
found at www.strathmann-biotec-ag.de. About QIAGEN QIAGEN
N.V., a Netherlands holding company with subsidiaries in Germany, the United
States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Italy, Australia,
Norway, Austria and Canada, believes it is the world's leading provider of
innovative enabling technologies and products for the separation, purification
and handling of nucleic acids. The Company has developed a comprehensive
portfolio of more than 320 proprietary, consumable products for nucleic acid
separation, purification and handling, nucleic acid amplification, as well as
automated instrumentation, synthetic nucleic acid products and related services.
QIAGEN's products are sold in more than 42 countries throughout the world to
academic research markets and to leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies. In addition, the Company is positioning its products for sale into
developing commercial markets, including DNA sequencing and genomics, nucleic
acid-based molecular diagnostics, and genetic vaccination and gene therapy.
QIAGEN employs approximately 1,600 people worldwide. Further information on
QIAGEN can be found at www.qiagen.com. About Corautus Genetics Corautus
Genetics Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the
development of gene transfer therapy products for the treatment of severe
cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. Corautus is currently developing
and testing a gene transfer product using the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
2 (VEGF-2) gene to promote therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic muscle. In July
2003, Corautus entered into a series of agreements with Boston Scientific
Corporation to fund, develop, commercialize and distribute the VEGF-2 gene
therapy products. Further information on Corautus Genetics can be found at
www.corautus.com. Strathmann
Biotec AG |
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