BAYLOR LICENSES NOROVIRUS VACCINE TECHNOLOGIES TO LICOCYTE.

LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bozeman, Mont. has executed an exclusive option from Baylor College of Medicine for a license to technologies related to norovirus vaccines and therapeutics.

"We are very excited to work with Baylor on the development of anti- norovirus strategies," said Dr. Robert Goodwin, LigoCyte's COO. "Scientists at Baylor have been in the forefront of this field for over a decade."

Noroviruses are associated with epidemic outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, accounting for approximately 23 million cases every year in the United States alone. With the development of new diagnostics, noroviruses are now recognized as the main agents responsible for infectious diarrhea and the most common cause of foodborne illness. Because noroviruses are highly contagious, people living or working in close quarters are at greater risk of infection and epidemics often result in closure of facilities until containment is achieved. Widespread outbreaks are associated with nursing homes, hospitals, day care centers, college dormitories, military installations and cruise ships.

With support from the Department of Defense, LigoCyte is developing products to combat norovirus infections. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, led by Dr. Mary K. Estes, successfully cloned the Norwalk virus genome in 1990 and have made considerable progress, culminating in a Phase I clinical study of an oral Norwalk vaccine. "It is wonderful to be able to join forces with Baylor and combine our programs in the norovirus field," commented Charles Richardson, Ph.D., LigoCyte's vice president of Research & Development. "This relationship will allow us to quickly move new product candidates into the clinic."

About LigoCyte

LigoCyte, established in 1998, has committed its expertise in immunology to the discovery and development of therapeutic drugs and vaccines for the prevention of inflammatory and infectious diseases. The company's immunomodulatory drug discovery activities support its pipeline of therapeutic candidates. LigoCyte's world-class scientists and leading-edge technologies are focused on the clinical development of lead candidates to establish strategic relationships within the pharmaceutical industry.

For more information, visit http://www.ligocyte.com or call 406/585-2733.