Crucell Announces European Protein Distribution Deal with Talecris Biotherapeutics
LEIDEN, The Netherlands, April 3, 2007 - Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL, Swiss Exchange: CRX) today announced a long-term distribution deal with North Carolina-headquartered Talecris Biotherapeutics, GmBH.
Under the terms of the agreement, Crucell will serve as the exclusive distributor of Talecris' Prolastin® (alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor) in 9 Western European countries, replacing current distributor, Bayer.
Fully praising the completion of the extraordinary deal, Crucell's President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ronald H.P. Brus said, "We are very proud to work with such a well-established and respected company and take over the distribution from Bayer. Not only does this deal match with our mission to advance in the therapeutic proteins arena but it also strengthens Crucell's global credibility and serves as a major step on our expansion path."
This unique distribution deal makes the first full use of Crucell's newly integrated pan-European marketing and sales organization created through the acquisitions of Berna Biotech and SBL Vaccines in 2006.
Alpha-1 treatments are currently sold across Europe and North America. The current North American annual market size is estimated to be over US$250 million.
About Alpha-1 Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency, also known as AATD or Alpha-1, is an inherited disorder that causes significant reduction in the naturally occurring protein AAT. AATD is also the most common cause of genetic liver disease in children, and genetic emphysema (shortness of breath) in adults. Individuals suffering from AATD often develop severe obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) causing disability and premature death. Alpha-1 is most common in the Caucasian population of Northern Europe and North America, affecting approximately 150,000 people.
About Prolastin Prolastin® is indicated for chronic augmentation therapy of individuals having hereditary deficiency of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor with clinically demonstrable panacinar emphysema. Individuals with selective IgA deficiencies who have known antibody against IgA should not receive Prolastin®, since these patients may experience severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, to IgA which may be present.
About Crucell Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX) is a biotechnology company focused on research, development and worldwide marketing of vaccines and antibodies that prevent and treat infectious diseases as well as therapeutic proteins for various indications. Its vaccines are sold in public and private markets worldwide. Crucell's core portfolio includes a vaccine against hepatitis B, a fully-liquid vaccine against five important childhood diseases, and a virosome-adjuvanted vaccine against influenza. Crucell also markets travel vaccines, such as the only oral anti-typhoid vaccine, an oral cholera vaccine and the only aluminium-free hepatitis A vaccine on the market. The Company has a broad development pipeline, with several Crucell products based on its unique PER.C6® production technology. The Company licenses this and other technologies to the biopharmaceutical industry. Important partners and licensees include DSM Biologics, sanofi aventis, GSK and Merck & Co. Crucell is headquartered in Leiden (the Netherlands), with subsidiaries in Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Korea and the US. The Company employs over a 1000 people. For more information, please visit www.crucell.com.
Forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We have identified certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. For information relating to these factors please refer to our Form 20-F, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 6, 2006, and the section entitled "Risk Factors". The Company prepares its financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP) and Europe (IFRS).
For further information please contact:
Crucell N.V. For Crucell in the US: Leonard Kruimer Redington, Inc. Chief Financial Officer Thomas Redington Tel. +31-(0)71-524 8722 Tel. +1 212-926-1733 Leonard.Kruimer@crucell.com tredington@redingtoninc.com
Barbara Mulder Director Corporate Communications Tel: 31-(0) 71 524 8718 barbara.mulder@crucell.com
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