Corporate | 26 May 2008 08:30
4SC AG / Miscellaneous
Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory
AG.
The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, 26 May 2008 - The Martinsried-based drug
discovery and development company 4SC AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: VSC)
today announced the acquisition of an almost 4 per cent stake in Nexigen
GmbH, located in Bonn. With this stake, 4SC AG also receives a takeover
option entitling it to the exclusive right to acquire Nexigen completely
within 15 months.
Nexigen GmbH is a spin-off from the Bonn research centre caesar. The
company, which was set up in August 2007, concentrates on research in the
area of protein interaction analysis and the development of protein
inhibitors.
Using the high throughput screening method, scientists at Nexigen are
looking into if and how a so called target protein is linked with a
disease. Using bioinformatics novel interaction partners of proteins can be
identified in a relatively short time and new inhibitor mechanisms for
disease-relevant proteins discovered.
In addition to this protein interaction analysis and within the context of
its own research projects, Nexigen is developing drug candidates,
particularly in the field of viral infections.
Dr Daniel Vitt, Chief Scientific Officer at 4SC AG, commented, 'We are
convinced of the technological potential of Nexigen. If the company
develops according to plan, we see their expertise as being a valuable
addition to our own technology platform.' 4SC AG is already planning to
conclude a research agreement with Nexigen GmbH during the takeover option
period, enabling 4SC to use the technology platform for its own research
purposes, explains Vitt further.
The main investor in Nexigen GmbH’s financing round was Santo Holding
(Deutschland) GmbH, who is the largest single shareholder in 4SC AG.
About Nexigen GmbH
Nexigen GmbH was set up in August 2007 by an interdisciplinary team of four
scientists with the support of a business angel. Since 2002 the pre-seed
phase has been supported as a successful spin-off project at the caesar
research centre in Bonn.
The start-up company Nexigen GmbH has specialised in innovative procedures
for cellular screening systems for proteins and peptides. Patented
technologies enable efficient development of innovative drug candidates
which have minimal side effects for diseases which are difficult to treat.
The proprietary technology platform is currently being used for their own
therapeutic projects and co-operation with pharmaceutical companies.
Projects with prestigious Top 20 pharmaceutical companies such as
Bayer-Schering and Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development,
as well as with international biotech companies, have already been
successfully carried out.
The establishment of an own project pipeline initially aims to develop
therapeutic peptides for the treatment of viral infections.
More information is available at www.nexigen.de
About 4SC:
4SC AG (ISIN DE0005753818) has been listed in the Prime Standard of
Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 15 December 2005. Founded in 1997 and now
with a staff of 74, the company develops novel drug candidates for
inflammatory diseases, cancer and infectious diseases using a
cheminformatics based technology platform. Traditional high throughput
screening of therapeutic agents has been transferred from the lab to the
computer. Thus, the company offers substantial cost and time advantages as
well as increased success rates in drug development. 4SC AG utilises its
technology platform, which is protected by patent, to create a sustainable
project pipeline of active agents to be developed up to the early clinical
phases ('proof of concept') and subsequently licensed to the pharmaceutical
industry in return for advance and milestone payments as well as royalties.
There are currently six projects in the pipeline and a so-called ideas’
pool with further development candidates. The first project for the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has already successfully completed
clinical phase IIa. Four other product candidates are in pre-clinical
development and another project is in the research stage. In addition, the
company is implementing its technology platform in partnerships with
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and is already generating
initial revenues.
Legal Note
This document may contain projections or estimates relating to plans and
objectives relating to our future operations, products, or services; future
financial results; or assumptions underlying or relating to any such
statements; each of which constitutes a forward-looking statement subject
to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual
results could differ materially, depending on a number of factors.
For more information please contact us!
Bettina von Klitzing
Manager Investor Relations und Public Relations
4SC AG
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 70 07 63 - 0
Bettina.von.klitzing@4sc.com
26.05.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Issuer: 4SC AG
Am Klopferspitz 19a
82152 Martinsried
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)89 7007 63-0
Fax: +49 (0)89 7007 63-29
E-mail: public@4sc.com
Internet: www.4sc.de
ISIN: DE0005753818
WKN: 575381
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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