Syngenta Biopharma Agreement

18 May 2005 07:01

Fulcrum Pharma PLC18 May 2005 For immediate release 18 May 2005 Fulcrum Pharma plc ("Fulcrum" or "the Company") Fulcrum Announces Partnership with Syngenta Biopharma Fulcrum Pharma plc (AIM: FUL), the drug development and strategic outsourcingcompany, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement withSyngenta Biopharma, the biopharmaceutical unit of the global agribusinessSyngenta AG of Basel, Switzerland. Under the agreement, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, Fulcrumwill provide development expertise and resources to enable Syngenta Biopharma toprogress the latter company's lead projects toward clinical development. Thiswill be achieved through the implementation by Syngenta Biopharma of elements ofFulcrum's proven Document Driven Drug Development tools and processes. Dr. Antony Blanc, Head of Biopharma at Syngenta, said: "We believe the expertiseof Fulcrum will enable us to strengthen our processes and ultimately acceleratethe development of our portfolio. This agreement demonstrates our desire tocomplement our internal skills through partnerships with industry leadingcompanies." Jon Court, Fulcrum Pharma's Chief Executive, said: "Fulcrum is delighted toenter into this agreement which we believe will help Syngenta Biopharma to meetits developmental and product goals. This arrangement represents anothersuccessful step in our strategy of establishing long term relationships with ourclients." For further information, please contact: Fulcrum Pharma PLC Tel: 0870 710 7152Jon Court, CEO Buchanan Communications Tel: 020 7466 5000Mary-Jane Johnson Notes to Editors: About Syngenta Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculturethrough innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in cropprotection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in2004 were approximately $7.3 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people inover 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and inNew York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com. Syngenta has set-up a dedicated biopharma unit (www.syngenta.com/biopharma) toapply its in-house capabilities and infrastructure to the development ofbiopharmaceuticals. About Fulcrum Pharma Fulcrum Pharma plc is an independent, drug development company that is the firstto offer global virtual drug development and strategic outsourcing services tothe pharmaceutical industry. The Company has expertise in the design, executionand delivery of drug development programmes and relies on state of the artinformation technology and infrastructure in the supply of its services. Through Fulcrum's services to its clients, the Directors believe that there isthe capacity to deliver products faster and more efficiently to the globalpharmaceutical market. Fulcrum does this by using its skills in the design ofdrug programmes that deliver the necessary information for decision-making andproduct registration. In so doing, Fulcrum works closely with its clients tomeet their strategic R&D goals. Fulcrum Pharma is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the LondonStock Exchange having successfully floated in March 2000. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange