Proteome Regulatory News (PRM)

8 May 2008 07:00

SENS-IT-IV Framework 6 EU Grant Award

COBHAM, England (May 8, 2008) - Proteome Sciences plc ("Proteome Sciences") is pleased to announce that it has been selected to participate as a partner in the ¢â€š¬13.7m Sens-it-iv Framework 6 EU programme, the largest Integrated Project in the EU funding programme, the aim of which is to develop 'in-vitro' alternatives to animal tests currently used for the risk assessment of potential skin or lung conditions.

Worldwide, the occurrence of allergies is increasing and has become an important health problem. In the EU, no 'in-vitro' tests or strategies are yet available to test the potential of chemical compounds or substances to induce allergies. By 2009, elements of products that come into contact with skin or the respiratory system (intentionally or unintentionally) have to be tested under EU law. Without the approved test disclosure, products will not be able to be sold in the EU.

Proteome Sciences is undertaking the proteomics part of the Sens-it-iv project and has been awarded a grant of ¢â€š¬571,000 over the period to 2010. This is an important programme supported by the EU to improve safety for the consumer and the environment and also to achieve a reduction in the levels of animal testing. The consortium is made up from 32 members, largely academic, other than five SMEs and two major commercial partners, L'Oreal and Unilever.

Further details of Sens-it-iv can be found at: http://www.sens-it-iv.eu.

Christopher Pearce, CEO of Proteome Sciences commented:

"The goal of Sens-it-iv is to replace animal experimentation by in-vitro assays for skin and respiratory responses in relation to the use of safe ingredients by the chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, to comply with the new EU legislation for classification and labeling of chemicals and risk assessment.

From 2009, before any such ingredients can be brought into the EU, they must have first been evaluated for their safety for humans and the environment. This requirement will have a considerable impact across a diverse range of industries and products. Proteome Sciences is delighted to be undertaking the proteomics aspects of this key programme to develop a new generation of in-vitro assays and to address the social and economic impact for skin and respiratory conditions and we will also participate in commercial value that arises from the project."

Ends

About Proteome Sciences:

Proteome Sciences plc is a global leader in applied proteomics, using high sensitivity proprietary techniques to detect and characterise differentially expressed proteins in diseases for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic applications.

ProteoSHOP‚® provides integrated proteomic services for biomarker discovery, validation and measurement in clinical trials and in vitro diagnostics. Key features include the proprietary isobaric tandem mass tag technology TMT‚® for accurate and reliable biomarker quantification and the ability to rapidly develop highly reproducible quantitative biomarker assays.

The main focus of its research addresses neurological, oncology and cardiovascular conditions and has discovered blood biomarkers in stroke, brain damage, solid organ transplant rejection and Alzheimer's disease. Proteome Sciences is based in Cobham, UK with facilities in London and Frankfurt.

Contact Proteome Sciences plc at www.proteomics.com

Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive Officer

James Malthouse, Finance Director

Dr. Ian Pike, Chief Business Officer

Dr Peter Schulz-Knappe, Chief Scientific Officer

Dr Rainer Voegeli, Commercial Director

Tel: +44 (0)1932 865065

Adrian Shaw, IKON Associates

Tel: +44 (0)1483 535102 / +44 (0)797 9900733

Matt Baldwin, COAST Communications

Tel: +44 (0)1233 503200

Shaun Dobson, Landsbanki Securities (UK) Limited

Tel: +44 (0) 207 426 9582