MEDICAGO TO EVALUATE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PANDEMIC VACCINE PRODUCTION FACILITY IN FRANCE IN COLLABORATION WITH GENOPOLE D'EVRY IN PARIS
Medicago Inc. will conduct a feasibility study in collaboration with Genopole biopark, in Evry, for the establishment of a vaccine production facility in France. Medicago has obtained a grant from the Quebec Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade to finance 40 per cent of the study. The study will be conducted by SNC Lavalin with the assistance of Medicago and the Genopole d'Evry.
"Medicago's proprietary plant-based vaccine development and production technologies can deliver large volumes of vaccines, just one month after the identification of genetic sequences from an emerging pandemic strain. This rapid time frame is critical as it could allow the vaccination of a population before the first wave of the pandemic strikes," said Andy Sheldon, President and CEO of Medicago. "As we are able to rapidly produce new vaccines in large quantities, we have been in discussions with several countries in Europe, Asia and Africa for the establishment of partnerships to create domestic vaccine production infrastructures based on Medicago's technologies."
"In particular, we are excited to be exploring this opportunity in greater detail in France, where the objective is to establish a facility that offers surge capacity to produce pandemic vaccine doses and eventually other biodefense related products, as well as offering bioproduction services to local companies. We expect to complete all necessary studies by the end of 2008 and greatly appreciate the support of the Quebec government for our efforts to commercialize this technology globally," added Mr. Sheldon.
About Genopole d'Evry
Genopole(R) is the leading French science park dedicated to life sciences. Its campus - near Paris - combines academic and private research laboratories, university/higher education facilities, biotechnology companies, and an incubator for biotech start-ups. Genopole(R) proposes the key benefits of a rich and well-equipped environment: a high-level, multidisciplinary research cluster in genomics and related sciences, a prosperous industrial fabric and cutting-edge, shared-access infrastructure.
Genopole's priority is to promote therapy-focused biotech by providing optimal conditions for company growth and progress in research, the development of large-scale biological activities and to make France a major competitor in the world of science and industry.
For further information: Medicago, Inc., Andy Sheldon, President and CEO, (418) 658-9393; Investor relations: The Equicom Group Inc., Arianna Vanin, (514) 844-4680, avanin@equicomgroup.com
