MBM ScienceBridge GmbH Negotiates License Agreement Between the Georg-August-University Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin, the University of Regensburg, and the UK's Medical Research Council Technology for a New Therapy of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases

LONDON and GÖTTINGEN, Germany, January 12 - Reference MRCT: MRCT120110

Georg-August-University Göttingen, University of Regensburg
and MRC Technology (MRCT) have signed exclusive license agreements through
MBM ScienceBridge GmbH and in agreement with Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH,
for the development of a novel therapy of inflammatory and immune diseases
based on the depletion of inflammatory monocytes. The first targets will be
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

MBM ScienceBridge GmbH, the technology transfer organization
of the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, successfully negotiated a license
agreement between the University of Göttingen, the University of Regensburg
and the Medical Research Council Technology (MRCT). Scientists at the
Universities of Regensburg and of Göttingen around Prof. Dr. M. Mack, Prof.
Dr. M. Prinz, Prof. Dr. W. Brück and Dr. A. Mildner developed a novel
therapeutic approach to the treatment of RA and MS based on a panel of unique
antibodies.

The collaboration between these academic technology transfer
offices will enable MBM ScienceBridge GmbH to access the world-class antibody
humanization expertise of MRCT's Centre for Therapeutics Discovery and the
work of its Therapeutic Antibody Group, led by Dr Tarran Jones. Once again
this demonstrates MRCT's world-leading capability to take lab tool compounds
and turn them into clinical candidates, which will then be licensed to the
Pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

Dr Dave Tapolczay, CEO of MRCT, said, "this licensing deal is
just one example of the innovative ways that MRCT is now exploiting both its
antibody humanization and drug discovery capabilities. We can collaborate
with other technology transfer organizations, on a shared risk basis, to
develop novel antibodies and targets with therapeutic potential. When the
resulting clinical candidate is subsequently licensed, an activity MRCT has
proven itself very successful in achieving, both parties will not only
accomplish their translational research aims, but also share in its
commercial success going forward."

MRCT receives an exclusive Worldwide license to the related IP
rights of the Universities. MRCT as well as both Universities through the MBM
ScienceBridge GmbH will then receive downstream payments dependent on
successful development and out-licensing of the antibody. This income will be
used for further research within the organisations.

Notes to Editors

About Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis

The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis ranges from 0.24 % to
1.0 % among the populations of the seven major markets of USA, Japan, UK,
Germany, France, Italy & Spain. Revenue forecast for these markets are
estimated at US$400m for 2010, and US$800m for 2015. The prevalence of
multiple sclerosis varies widely by geographic region. Among the major
markets, it ranges from a high of approximately 170 per 100,000 in the UK to
a low of approximately 2.5 per 100,000 in Japan. The multiple sclerosis
market expands by 20% per year to an estimated $3bn, making it one of the
fastest growing central nervous system therapy areas.

About MBM ScienceBridge GmbH

The MBM ScienceBridge GmbH is a fully owned subsidiary of the
University of Göttingen and acts on its behalf as a technology transfer
interface to companies around the world. The IP portfolio managed by MBM
ScienceBridge covers innovation in the areas of Life Sciences, Chemistry,
Physics, Agriculture and Medical Technologies.

The Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin,
Germany, was founded in 1737 and in the spirit of the enlightenment, has laid
the foundation - both in the natural sciences and humanities, for the present
day University's excellent reputation.

www.sciencebridge.de

About Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH

Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH assesses and markets the
inventions of more than 16,000 researchers in the German Federal State of
Bavaria. With its interdisciplinary team composed of scientists and economic
experts it attends to universities and universities of applied sciences in
Bavaria when it comes to subjects concerning inventions, patents and
licenses. Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH is a company owned by Universität
Bayern e.V. and Hochschule Bayern e.V.

About Medical Research Council Technology (MRCT)

MRCT is the exclusive commercialisation agent for the UK
Medical Research Council, working to translate cutting edge scientific
discoveries into commercial products. MRCT bridges the gap between innovative
basic science and making medicine. MRCT works to provide drug-like candidate
molecules to innovative new drug targets, and to translate innovative
antibody-dased drug targets into potent and selective therapeutic antibody
canditates giving pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies new starting
points for drug discovery and development, based on MRC advances in science.
MRCT's Therapeutic Antibody Group scientists have a proven track record of
success in antibody humanization which extends over 20 years and has produced
10 clinical candidates and two regulatory approved humanized antibodies:
Elan/Biogen Idec's Tysabri(R) and Chugai/Roche's Actemra(R).
www.mrctechnology.org

Contact Information: Medical Research Council Technology (MRCT): Jan Coates, Business Development Officer, MRC Technology, E-mail: jan.coates at tech.mrc.ac.uk, Phone: +44(0)20-8906-7183; Contact: www.sciencebridge.de, info at sciencebridge.de,
+49-551-30724151.