Actualizado 30/10/2007 09:32
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Organon Signs an Exclusive, Worldwide Licence Agreement on Advanced Antithrombotic Compounds With Endotis Pharma

OSS, The Netherlands, October 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Organon, the human healthcare business unit of Akzo Nobel, today announced that it has signed an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Endotis Pharma concerning the development and commercialization of several antithrombotic compounds. Endotis is a specialty pharma company dedicated to the discovery and development of small-glyco drugs for applications in thrombosis and oncology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Endotis has acquired exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Org 42675, Org 217609 (a neutralizable follow-up of Org 42675) and Org 224283, three antithrombotic compounds with an innovative dual mechanism of action. Financial details are not disclosed.

Org 42675 and Org 217609 display a new and original dual mechanism of action, combining blood coagulation factor Xa inhibition and thrombin inhibition. Org 42675 has successfully completed two phase I clinical trials. Org 224283 also displays an innovative dual mechanism of action, combining factor Xa inhibition and an antiplatelet effect, both effects being neutralizable by a specific antidote. Org 224283 is at a preclinical-stage of development.

Charles Woler, Chairman and CEO of Endotis Pharma, declared: "We are delighted to sign this licensing agreement, as these compounds will strongly reinforce our position in thrombosis. Due to their oligosaccharide structure, they perfectly fit with our focus on small-glyco drugs. We are proud that Organon has faith in Endotis to develop these very promising compounds."

David Nicholson, executive vice president Research and Development of Organon added: "We are excited to bring this opportunity to Endotis. Organon will continue to be involved bringing in our expertise in manufacturing and development. This deal maximizes the chances of bringing these innovative compounds to patients in need of anti-thrombotic care."

About Organon

Organon creates, manufactures and markets innovative prescription medicines that improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of innovation and business partnerships, Organon seeks to leverage its position as a leading biopharmaceutical company in each of its core therapeutic fields: fertility, gynecology and selected areas of anesthesia. It has extensive expertise in neuroscience and a rich and focused R&D program. Research areas also include immunology and specific areas of oncology. Organon products are distributed in over 100 countries worldwide, of which more than 50 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human healthcare business unit of Akzo Nobel.

About Endotis Pharma

Founded in 2003, Endotis Pharma is a specialty pharma company dedicated to the discovery and development of small-glyco drugs (SGDs) for applications in thrombosis and oncology. Endotis Pharma has built a well-balanced portfolio of pre-clinical and clinical stage compounds, either in-licensed (from Organon: EP42675, an anticoagulant that has completed two phase I, EP217609, the neutralizable form of EP4675 and EP224283, an antithrombotic which is in preclinicals) or generated by the company's own drug discovery platform (EP37 program, focused on the oral prevention and treatment of thrombosis, and EP8000 program in oncology). The SGDs developed by Endotis are based on fully synthetic oligosaccharides mimicking glycosaminoglycans, which is the core field of expertise of Endotis' scientists. Proof of concept has already been established with synthetic oligosaccharides in cardiovascular/thrombosis, with oncology being the next promising therapeutic area. Endotis currently has 28 employees (including 14 PhDs/MDs) based in Paris and Lille (France). Sofinnova Partners is a lead investor in Endotis Pharma.

Disclaimer: the development of new drug technologies is difficult, erratic and unpredictable. Endotis Pharma's forecasts and future economic performance depend on research that has yet to be performed and on a number of other factors. The company's future economic performance may differ significantly from that currently forecast.

Safe Harbor Statement Organon(1)

This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, progress of drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the company's corporate website http://www.akzonobel.com. The 2006 Annual Report on Form 20-F will be available in the second quarter of 2007.

(1) Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.

    
    For more information:
    Organon
    Monique Mols, director media relations
    NV Organon, Oss, the Netherlands
    Tel: +31-412-665440
    Email: monique.mols@organon.com
    Endotis Pharma:
    Press: Alize RP
    Caroline Carmagnol
    +33(0)6-64-18-99-5
    caroline@alizerp.com
    Investors: Endotis Pharma
    Charles Woler, Chairman and CEO
    charleswoler@endotis.com
    Stéphane Degove , Finance Director
    stephanedegove@endotis.com
    +33(0)-1-48-46-84-87

For more information: Organon, Monique Mols, director media relations, NV Organon, Oss, The Netherlands, Tel: +31-412-665440, Email: monique.mols@organon.com; Endotis Pharma: Press: Alize RP, Caroline Carmagnol, +33(0)6-64-18-99-5, caroline@alizerp.com; Investors: Endotis Pharma, Charles Woler, Chairman and CEO, charleswoler@endotis.com, Stéphane Degove, Finance Director, stephanedegove@endotis.com, +33(0)-1-48-46-84-87

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