MONTREAL, March 15, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Viropro Pharma Inc., a subsidiary of Viropro Inc. (OTCBB:VPRO), and ProteoCell Biotechnologies Inc. have signed a Collaboration Agreement to co-commercialize specific recombinant biogeneric biotherapeutics for international markets.
Specializing in the commercialization of biopharmaceutical products, Viropro Pharma previously acquired licenses from Tokyo-based ImmunoJapan Inc. (IJI) for patented protein production technologies related to specific therapeutics. The Laval-based company, ProteoCell Biotechnologies Inc., specializes in bioprocess development and the production scale-up of recombinant biomolecules for commercialization. Through this agreement, the two companies will collaborate to evaluate and scale up specific biotherapeutic proteins, and through partnerships the parties are presently developing, ultimately facilitate the transfer of select drug candidates to prospective international clients for local commercial manufacturing.
"We are enormously pleased with this partnership and are very fortunate to have found an emerging firm locally with such specialized capability," stated Richard Lee, President of Viropro Inc. "Together we can dramatically quicken the pace to market for our technologies while offering the synergistic package our clients are looking for. The business potential is very substantial and we anticipate announcing additional agreements with international partners in the near future."
"This collaboration represents a tremendous opportunity for us and fits very well with our partnering approach on advancing biotherapeutics toward commercialization. Viropro Pharma's mandate and experience in biopharmaceuticals provides us with a natural partner to exercise our bioprocess expertise," remarked Imad Nasrallah, ProteoCell's President. "We look forward to setting new standards for collaborations of this sort with our partners Viropro Pharma and IJI. This is a truly international effort that will help add toward putting the local biopharmaceutical field firmly on the map."
About Viropro Inc.
Viropro, Inc. (OTCBB:VPRO) is rapidly establishing a growth portfolio in Life Sciences markets through strategic alliances and revenue-producing acquisitions with the potential for continued shareholder value.
About ProteoCell Biotechnologies Inc.
ProteoCell Biotechnologies Inc. is a privately-held bioprocess company based in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Working in collaboration with leading biotechnology companies, ProteoCell develops leading edge bioprocess platforms for the production of recombinant protein biotherapeutics.
Viropro, Inc.'s Safe Harbor Statement
Except for any historic information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which are subject to section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to safe harbor created by these sections. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions of future events or performances are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements in this release may be identified through the use of such words as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," or statements indicating certain actions "may," "could," or might" occur. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, which involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including the Company's ability to market its products and services in a competitive environment as well as other factors.