Chemicon and Thromb-X N.V. Enter Into Agreement for Exclusive Sale and Marketing of New Embryonic Stem Cell Tissue Culture Media.ATLANTA & LEUVEN, Belgium -- Thromb-X N.V., the R&D division of ThromboGenics Ltd., and Chemicon International, a division of Serologicals Corporation (NASDAQ/NM: SERO SERO Southeast Regional Office SERO Sekundaerrohstoffe (recycling, former GDR) SERO Syringe Exchange Resources Online SERO System Engineering/Engineer Release Order SERO Site Emergency Response Organisation (nuclear) ), today announced the signing of an exclusive global agreement to market embryonic stem (ES) cell reagents developed by Thromb-X. The centerpiece of this agreement is the commercialization of the TX-WES culture medium that was specifically developed to enable the derivation of new "non-permissive" strains and to rescue existing ES cell lines. Through this agreement, Chemicon will make available the TX-WES culture medium to the worldwide mouse ES cell community. Chemicon is recognized as a worldwide leader in providing reagents, kits, and cell culture supplements to the academic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology markets. The company will use its historical presence and strength in the stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. arena, leveraged by Chemicon's unique line of ES cell reagents (including Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Leukemia inhibitory factor, or LIF, an interleukin 6 class cytokine, is a chemical in cells that affects their growth and development. Function LIF derives its name from its ability to induce the terminal differentiation of myeloid leukaemic cells. , LIF 1. (hardware) LIF - Low Insertion Force. 2. (file format) LIF - Logical Interchange Format. , - a growth factor essential for the derivation and maintenance of mouse ES cells), to market TX-WES based research tools as an expanded product offering. Chemicon will offer these products through its direct sales team in North America, Australia, UK and much of Europe, as well as through its worldwide network of distributors. Thromb-X's parent company ThromboGenics, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on innovative therapies for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, has utilized this improved transgenesis trans·gen·e·sis n. The transfer of cloned genetic material from one species or breed to another. transgenesis transfer of genes from one individual into the genome of another who transmits it to successive generations. platform in its successful efforts to advance several of its drug discovery candidates into clinical trials. Gene-targeted mice created at Thromb-X have led to the identification of novel drug targets, validating the use of this technology for discovery of potential new pharmaceuticals. The TX-WES medium, in combination with other stem cell products distributed by Chemicon, will allow derivation and maintenance of a broad range of ES cell lines from all inbred in·bred adj. 1. Produced by inbreeding. 2. Fixed in the character or disposition as if inherited; deep-seated. inbred said of offspring produced by inbreeding. mouse strains, including strains which generate low percentage chimeras or have lost germ line germ line n. Cells from which gametes are derived. transmission capability. This medium has been shown to be superior to conventional ES culture systems, even in the absence of feeder cells. The introduction of TX-WES for worldwide use in ES cell research is the culmination of an extensive R&D effort at Thromb-X, led by Luc Schoonjans, Ph.D. Experimental results in which TX-WES was used to expand murine murine /mu·rine/ (mur´en) pertaining to, derived from, or characteristic of mice or rats. mu·rine adj. cell populations have recently been reported in the journal Stem Cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young .(a) TX-WES medium, which is conditioned by a fibroblast fibroblast /fi·bro·blast/ (fi´bro-blast) 1. an immature fiber-producing cell of connective tissue capable of differentiating into chondroblast, collagenoblast, or osteoblast. 2. cell line and is available in ready-to-use form, is being produced by the Thromb-X subsidiary, ProduCell Biotech NV. (a) Improved Generation of Germline-Competent Embryonic Stem Cell Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of an early stage embryo known as a blastocyst. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50-150 cells. ES cells are pluripotent. Lines from Inbred Mouse Strains, Luc Schoonjans, Veerle Kreemers, Sophie Danloy, Randall Moreadith, Yves Laroche, Desire Collen, Stem Cells 2003; 21:90-97 "Chemicon is excited to add the TX-WES cell culture medium to our portfolio of innovative reagents and technologies for the global stem cell research community," said Jeffrey D. Linton, President of Chemicon. "This unique tool will aid researchers in the development, maintenance and recovery of novel mouse ES cell lines. In addition, we look forward to furthering our collaboration with Thromb-X to co-develop and market additional innovative ES cell products." "We are pleased to announce this alliance with a well-established company such as Chemicon," said Jean Marie Stassen, Ph.D., Managing Director of Thromb-X. "We are convinced that alongside the existing product line marketed by Chemicon, the tools we have developed for improved transgenesis will enhance activities in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Thromb-X aims to continue offering its novel products to the research community via its relationship with Chemicon." Serologicals Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a global provider of biological products, enabling technologies and custom services to life science companies and research organizations. The Company's diverse customer base includes major life science companies and leading research institutions. Our customers use our products, technologies and services in all facets of their activities, including basic research, drug discovery, development and bio-manufacturing. Our products, technologies and services are essential tools for research in a range of key disciplines, including oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiology, neurology, proteomics, infectious diseases, cell signaling and stem cell research. In addition, the Company is the world's leading manufacturer of monoclonal antibodies for the blood typing industry. Serologicals has more than 1000 employees worldwide, and its shares are traded on the NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on national stock market under the symbol SERO. Through its Chemicon Division, the Company also manufactures diagnostic products at its cGMP, ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. , and TGA See TARGA. TGA - Targa Graphics Adaptor approved facilities. Chemicon International, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. of Serologicals Corporation, is headquartered in Temecula, California. For more information on Serologicals Corporation and Chemicon International, visit the companies' web sites at www.serologicals.com and www.chemicon.com. Serologicals is a registered trademark of Serologicals Royalty Company. Thromb-X N.V., the R&D division of ThromboGenics Ltd., is a biotechnology company with activities focused on the research and pre-clinical development of medicines for the prevention and treatment of severe diseases, and on the development of improved technologies for transgenesis and regenerative medicine. Thromb-X is a spin-off company of the University of Leuven, located in Leuven, Belgium. More information can be found at www.thromb-x.com. ThromboGenics Ltd. is a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. founded in Dublin, Ireland, focused on biotherapeutics for the prevention and treatment of heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, eye disease, and cancer. The Company has exclusive rights to certain therapeutics developed at University of Leuven (Belgium). ThromboGenics has research labs in Belgium, via its subsidiary Thromb-X N.V., and management team located in Ireland, Belgium and the U.S. ThromboGenics has two programs in clinical development: 1) microplasmin, both as a treatment for retinal disorders and as a neuroprotective thrombolytic agent for stroke and peripheral arterial occlusive occlusive /oc·clu·sive/ (o-kloo´siv) pertaining to or causing occlusion. oc·clu·sive adj. 1. Occluding or tending to occlude. 2. disease, and 2) staphylokinase as a thrombolytic agent for acute myocardial infarction acute myocardial infarction (  ·kyōōtˑ mī·ō·karˑ·dē· . The Company also has five other programs in
pre-clinical development with proof-of-principle demonstrated. For more
information, please visit the company web site at www.thrombogenics.com.This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. Words or phrases such as "should result," "are expected to," "we anticipate," "we estimate," "we project" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the value of the licensed research tools and the utility of the licensed research tools to researchers. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, since the statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements based on events that may occur after the date of this press release.
Chemicon International Thromb-X N.V.
28820 Single Oak Drive Herestraat 49
Temecula, CA 92590 USA 3000 Leuven, Belgium
tel: +1 (951) 676-8080 tel: +32 (16) 34 5775
www.chemicon.com www.thromb-x.com
Serologicals Corporation. ThromboGenics Ltd.
5655 Spalding Drive 14 Bridgecourt Office Park
Norcross, GA 30092 USA Walkinstown Avenue
tel: +1 (678) 728-2000 Dublin 12, Ireland
www.serologicals.com tel: +353 (1) 409 7757
www.thrombogenics.com
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