Contract with Alpha Biologics

12 Nov 2007 08:25

Synairgen plc12 November 2007 PRESS RELEASE SYNAIRGEN PLC ('Synairgen' or the 'Company') Contract Signed To Advance Growth Factor Programme Synairgen, the company developing novel therapies for asthma and COPD, todayannounces that it has selected Alpha Biologics in connection with theadvancement of its growth factor drug development programme. Alpha Biologics, Cambridge, UK, is an independent contract biomanufacturingorganisation offering FDA/EMEA cGMP compliant services to the worldwidepharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Synairgen is working with AlphaBiologics to develop a scaleable manufacturing process for Synairgen's optimisedgrowth factor to support pre-clinical and clinical development. Richard Marsden, Synairgen's Managing Director, said, "We have significantconfidence in our growth factor drug development programme for asthma to restorebarrier function in patients. Initiating the development of a scaleablemanufacturing process is another significant milestone for the programme." "We are pleased to be associated with such an exciting programme from a companyat the forefront in their field", said Alpha's CEO, Mr Simon Saxby. -Ends- For further information, please contact: Synairgen Tel: + 44 (0) 2380 512 800Richard Marsden, Managing DirectorJohn Ward, Finance Director Alpha Biologics Tel: + 44 (0) 1223 496 070Jon Mowles, Commercial Director The Hogarth Partnership (Synairgen Media Enquiries) Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7357 9477Melanie Toyne-Sewell Notes to Editors About Synairgen Synairgen is a drug discovery company founded by Professors Stephen Holgate,Donna Davies and Ratko Djukanovic, focused on identifying and out-licensing newpharmaceutical products which address the underlying causes of asthma andchronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Synairgen is listed on AIM (LSE: SNG). For more information about Synairgen, please see www.synairgen.com. About Synairgen's Growth Factor Programme Synairgen's researchers have found that the cells which line the airways (theepithelium) of asthmatics do not form a robust barrier. This defect in barrierfunction may be a key contributor to asthma susceptibility enabling knowntriggers of asthma, such as allergens, pollutants and viruses, to penetratethrough the epithelium to the underlying tissue. Using asthmatic epithelialcells from its biobank of human tissue, Synairgen has developed a modifiedgrowth factor that can restore barrier function. About Alpha Biologics Alpha Biologics is an independent contract biomanufacturing organisationoffering FDA/EMEA cGMP compliant services to the worldwide pharmaceutical andbiotechnology industry. Initial process development is undertaken in Cambridge,England, before being transferred to scale up facilities for final processtechnology transfer and manufacturing of biologics drugs for pre-clinical andclinical trials. The company is headquartered in Malaysia. For more information,please see www.alphabiologics.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange