27 East Coast Biotech Companies To Attend BioJapan 2004 and Participate in Partnering Sessions Arranged by JETRO New York; BioMission to Tokyo to Feature JETRO BioBIZMATCH Sessions.

NEW YORK -- The Japan External Trade Organization  (JETRO) New York today announced that it has arranged for 27 of the most dynamic U.S. biotech and life science companies from the East Coast to participate in JETRO BioBIZMATCH partnering sessions with Japan's largest pharmaceutical and life science companies, including Takeda and Yamanouchi. These one-on-one partnering sessions will take place during BioJapan 2004, Japan's largest annual biotech convention, held September 28-30 in Tokyo. The U.S. companies will go to Japan as members of the JETRO BioMission to Tokyo.

Even in this era of globalization, language and cultural barriers can pose challenges for U.S. companies seeking to develop business relationships in countries like Japan. But as the world's second-largest market for pharmaceuticals, with strong growth prospects due to its rapidly-aging population, Japan represents an enormous opportunity for innovative U.S. biotech and life science companies.

JETRO New York views its role in facilitating business relationships as a key element in Japan's national policy of promoting direct investment. "We recognize that the U.S. biotechnology industry is one the most important partners for Japan's life science industry," said Hiroki Matsumoto, Executive Director of JETRO New York. "Our hope is to create opportunities for U.S. biotech companies to foster relationships with Japanese companies that result in R&D collaborations as well as licensing and co-promotion partnerships. We welcome this opportunity to serve as a bridge between companies from both countries."

JETRO New York will assist both U.S. and Japanese businesses by coordinating more than 100 meetings at JETRO BioBIZMATCH for participating companies from the pharmaceutical, medical, healthcare, food, information technology and other life science related industries. For example, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in New Jersey, has had ongoing business discussions with a Japanese pharmaceutical company as a result of a previous partnering session arranged by JETRO in San Francisco in June 2004, and expects to meet with Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and other companies at JETRO BioBIZMATCH. "JETRO New York has been extremely helpful and increased our interest in Japanese collaborations," said Ms. Claudia Hirawat, Vice President for Corporate Development at PTC. PTC is focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule drugs targeting post-transcriptional control mechanisms, and is exploring possible collaborations with Japanese companies.

BioJapan 2004, which is organized by the Japan Biotech-Industry Association (JBA) and other sponsors, is expected to attract more than 25,000 attendees from all over the world. JETRO's participation in the convention includes organizing a kick-off event, BIOLINK FORUM, on September 27 and 28, as well as JETRO BioBIZMATCH sessions through September 30.

BioMission to Tokyo members from the East Coast Region:

Advanced BioNutrition Corp.
Altus Pharmaceuticals
Amphora Discovery
Aphios Corporation
GroupWeston
Hemodyne, Inc.
Icagen, Inc.
Japan Technology Group, Inc.
TargeGen, Inc.
TransTech Pharma Inc.
Tranzyme Pharma
Verimetra, Inc.

Archemix Corp.
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Cambrex Corporation
Covance Central Laboratory Services
EFD Inc.
Genaissance Pharmaceuticals
Genfit
Metabolon, Inc.
Nucleonic s.a.
PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
Ribonomics, Inc.
SCYNEXIS, Inc.
Serenex, Inc.
Spherics, Inc.
WorldCare

About JETRO

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a Japanese government organization that promotes mutually beneficial trade and investment relations between Japan and other nations. JETRO has a network of 38 offices in Japan and 76 offices worldwide.

The primary goal of JETRO New York is to promote U.S. direct investment in Japan. JETRO New York assists U.S. companies seeking to develop business or investment opportunities in Japan. JETRO's services include Investment Centers in Japan, which provide free office space and consulting services with business and legal advisors in Japan; Business Programs designed to assist U.S. companies in developing business contacts in Japan; an Investment Team, which focuses on promoting opportunities in the four key sectors of Information and Communication Technology, Healthcare/Biotechnology, Environmental Technologies, and Service Industries; and Online Resources, which provide online information on market trends, exporting to Japan and investing in Japan.