Biovator Attracts New Investment Partner.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- In less than a year, animal allergenicity testing for the production of cosmetics in the European Union will be banned, leaving only a limited time to find alternative methods to avoid further exemptions. Biovator, a Sweden-based biotech company, is developing a solution to part of the problem with its test tube based technology - the in Vitro CPA test. Government investment agency, ALMI Foretagspartner AB, in conjunction with owners LinkMed, has decided to provide funding to further develop the procedure, which uses human tissue to identify substances that cause allergic reactions.

Biovator has come a long way in refining the technology, which could replace some of the animal testing currently done in the development of medicines, cosmetics, foods and in the chemical industry. The test will enable the identification of compounds that cause allergies, known as allergens. Currently, animal testing is used to trace allergens.

"ALMI's decision to become a partner is a vote of confidence for Biovator and others involved in the project," says Biovator CEO Stan Mikulowski. Other investors include IBL Hamburg, a German immunobiological diagnostics company, Medicago, a Swedish bio-chemical firm, Linkoping University and AstraZeneca.

Development work on the test is proceeding on schedule, and with the help of an industry partner, Biovator plans to have the method ready for commercial use in the first six months of 2009.

Under an EU directive designed to harmonize cosmetics laws, it will be illegal to use animals to determine the risk of allergic reactions in the production of cosmetics from 2009. At present, however, there is still no alternative to animal testing for allergens that is recognized by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), an agency that supports the development of in Vitro methods.

Biovator's test is based on work carried out by Professor Birger Andersson in the early 1990's at Stockholm's Karolinska Institute. Andersson was one of the very first in the field and his method for in Vitro testing became known as Cytokine Profile Assay (CPA).

"Our test will be more reliable than current methods because tests on animals can only be used to identify Type 4 allergies - skin conditions. At present, there is no test for Type 1 allergic reactions - airborne allergies - an area where there is a proven medical need," says Mikulowski.

In Vitro testing is also quicker and less expensive than animal testing.

Another development that makes Biovator's tests even more attractive is EU legislation on scientific research, REACH; (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals); which became effective on June 1, 2007.

REACH replaces large sections of Swedish law on scientific research. Those handling chemicals are now required to produce data on the properties of substances and consider the associated risks of working with such materials. A new certification process has also been introduced for chemicals which have potentially harmful effects on public health and the environment. This is where Biovator's test can make a difference.

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Biovator AB is dedicated to the innovation of in vitro test methods for the predictive testing of allergic reactions. In addition to greatly reducing the need for animal testing, these methods are less expensive, faster, and provide more reliable results for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food-additive industries.

Biovator AB is part of LinkMed, which is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. LinkMed has created a portfolio of 12 life-sciences companies, six of which are in the fields of pharmaceutical development and biotechnology, and six in the area of medical technology.

For more information, please see: www.biovator.com and: www.linkmed.se.

ALMI Foretagspartner Stockholm AB provides investment to promote growth and innovation in the economy. ALMI also seeks to help more products with commercial potential reach the market, support the growth of successful start-up companies and enhance business efficiency, competitiveness and growth.

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