SYMPHOGEN STRENGTHENS PATENT POSITION IN POLYCLONAL ANTIBODIES

New product patent covers polyclonal antibody compositions for allergy treatment

Copenhagen, Denmark, 22 February 2005: Symphogen A/S announced today it was granted a US patent (6,849,259) for the development of recombinant polyclonal antibodies, known as symphobodies, to treat and prevent allergic reactions. Symphogen’s approach enables the novel delivery of antibody-based drugs intranasally or through pulmonary inhalation. Such topically administered symphobodies prevent allergic reactions by effectively blocking complex allergen antigens. In addition, blocking allergen-specific polyclonal antibodies may be given by injection against serious allergic reactions. Symphogen’s unique approach to the treatment of allergy is expected to be superior to current treatments. 

“This product patent is an important milestone for Symphogen as it highlights our core technology’s potential to produce improved therapeutic compositions comprising truly human antibodies and positions the Company to enter the allergy field. We plan to develop the allergy opportunity further in co-operation with a partner or by out-licensing the technology,” says Dr. Kirsten Drejer, Chief Executive Officer of Symphogen. 

- ENDS - 

About Symphogen:

Symphogen A/S is a biotechnology company pioneering therapeutic products based on natural human antibodies for the treatment and prevention of human disease. By use of its proprietary technologies Symphogen aims to develop and eventually market unique antibody-based products that mimic the diversity, affinity, and specificity of the natural human immune system. Generation of antibody drug candidates is achieved using the SymplexÔ technology. The selected lead candidate may be polyclonal or monoclonal, depending on the nature of the target. The Company applies its proprietary expression platform, the SympressÔ technology, for consistent manufacturing of recombinant polyclonal antibody compositions. Symphobodies offer a number of advantages over current plasma-derived immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of diseases characterized by complex target antigens, such as those found in infectious diseases, allergy, transplant rejection, and cancer. For more information visit www.symphogen.com 

For more information about Symphogen A/S please contact:

Kirsten Drejer, CEO. Symphogen A/S: +45 45 26 50 59, kd@symphogen.com
John Haurum, CSO, Symphogen A/S: +45 45 26 50 70, jh@symphogen.com 

Katja Stout/Ashley Lilly, Northbank Communications: +44 207 886 8150, a.lilly@northbankcommunications.com