University of Oklahoma, Emergent Technologies to Announce Multi-Million Dollar Agreement with Pharmaceutical Company

Hyalose, Novozymes A/C to Partner in Multi-Million Dollar Joint Development Agreement


OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Aug. 27, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) MEDIA ADVISORY -- Emergent Technologies Inc. and the University of Oklahoma will announce a joint development agreement between Hyalose L.L.C., a company held by Emergent, and Novozymes A/C, a division of pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) to national and Oklahoma media at 11 a.m. CDT Aug. 29, 2001 at the Stanton L. Young Biomendial Research Center at 975 10th Street in Oklahoma City.

The multi-million dollar alliance is the largest involving university-developed technology sold to private industry in accordance with State Questions 680 and 681,which allowed state research institutions to work with industry to commercialize their advancements. The University of Oklahoma receives a royalty stream from Hyalose sales activities involving this technology.

W. Arthur Porter, VP for Technology Development at the University and Rick Hodgins, Emergent Chairman and CEO of Hyalose, as well as other technical and business representatives of each organization will be available for interviews at Wednesday's conference.

About Hyalose and Emergent Technologies:

Hyalose LLC was formed to commercialize the unique recombinant technology of Dr. Paul DeAngelis and Dr. Paul Weigel. A series of innovations focused on the polysaccharide Hyaluronic Acid (Hyaluronan or HA) enable better control of polymer synthesis as well as the creation of novel molecules.

MEDIA ADVISORY

DATE: Wed., Aug. 29, 2001 -- 11 a.m. CDT
 
 WHERE: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center - OKC
        975 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City
        Stanton L. Young Biomedical Research Center
        (Two blocks E. Of Lincoln Blvd. at Oklahoma Health
        Sciences Center)

 SUBJECT: OKC Biotech Firm Hyalose, Denmark-based Novozymes in 
         Partnership

State, University of Oklahoma to Share Revenue from Multi-Million Dollar Agreement to Produce Medical Fluids Used in Treatment of Arthritis, Joint Disease

WHO: The following will be available for personal interviews:
      W. Arthur "Skip" Porter, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma VP 
      for Technology Development and Dean of the College of 
      Engineering
      
      Rick Hodgins, Managing Director & Chairman of the Board,
      Emergent Technologies Inc., and Hyalose CEO.
      
      John Hughey, University of Oklahoma Assistant VP for 
      Technology Development
-0-
CONTACT: University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City
         Isaac O'Bannon
         (405) 325-3757 
         isaac@ou.edu.