Biovator and BASF sign technology development agreement

Press release
December 18, 2009


Biovator and BASF sign technology development agreement

The Sweden-based biotech company Biovator and the global chemical industry
leader BASF have signed a collaboration agreement for final development of In
Vitro test systems capable of identifying the potential of chemical compounds to
induce allergic reaction in humans. The agreement also includes a five-year BASF
option of final product deliveries. 

“Allergic reactions to compounds are a serious risk in new products that needs
to be discovered in the early stages of product development. This collaboration
has the potential to open new dimensions in early industrial research that
involves testing. The future test product can become an important factor when
setting new industry standards,” says Biovator CEO, Stan Mikulowski. 

To meet the significant market and regulatory need for In Vitro tests in the
pharmaceutical sector, Biovator signed an agreement to cooperate with
AstraZeneca R&D in 2007, which was an extension of earlier collaboration.

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Biovator AB is dedicated to the innovation of In
Vitro test methods for predictive testing of allergic reactions, in both Type 1
and Type 4, to meet the strong public interest in alternatives to animal tests
stated in the 7th Amendment to the EU Cosmetic Directive (Directive 76/768/EEC)
in which animal testing of cosmetic products is prohibited from 2009.

In addition to greatly reducing the need for animal testing, these methods will
be faster and less expensive, while providing more reliable results for the
chemical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food additive industries.  

Biovator's principal owner is LinkMed.

For more information please contact:
Stan Mikulowski, CEO Biovator AB and VP Senior Venture Manager LinkMed
tel: + 46 8 50 89 39 42

For further information: www.biovator.com and www.linkmed.com


LinkMed develops life science companies in collaboration with innovators and
other financiers. By contributing management and capital, LinkMed has created a
portfolio of thirteen companies, four in drug development and biotechnology and
nine in diagnostics and medical technology. The company's principal shareholders
are Mohammed Al Amoudi, FastPartner AB (publ), and Mannersons Fastighets AB.
LinkMed is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm in the Small Cap section (ticker:
LMED).