MONTREAL, April 20, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Viropro Inc. ("Viropro" or "The Company") (OTCBB:VPRO) announced today the signing of a contract for collaboration with the French consulting firm Parteurop, internationally known for its expertise in the bio-pharmaceutical field as well as its solid portfolio of private and institutional allies. Through this new alliance, particularly with the expertise of Jacques-Francois Martin, Viropro reinforces its expertise in marketing and its know-how in technology transfer for industrial production of therapeutic proteins while also strengthening its strategy for vertical integration in its scientific and technical capability.
Jacques-Francois Martin has an illustrious career, focused in the life sciences industry. Having earned an MBA from the HEC in Paris, he joined the Institut Merieux in France as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 1976, and in 1988 was named its General Director. He then dealt directly with the Canadian Government as lead negotiator in the acquisition of the Connaught Laboratories.
In 1992, Mr. Martin was named CEO of Biocine (since renamed Chiron Vaccines), the fifth most important manufacturer of vaccines in the world. From 1994 to 1997, he was President of the Committee for the International Federation of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, and from 1996 to 1998 General Director for the Fondation Jean Dausset, dedicated to research in genomics. From 2000 to 2005, he served as President for the Vaccine Fund. He was also a member of the Committee for INSERM (National Institute for Health and Medical Research) in France, the Committee for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) from 1997 to 2003, and the Strategic Advisory Council of the Bill & Melinda Gates Children's Vaccine Program.
Dr. Jean-Marie Dupuy, Viropro's CEO, stated: "We are very happy to have signed this strategic agreement with Parteurop and its seasoned scientific team. The solid experience and international renown of this company, and in particular that of its president Mr. Jacques-Francois Martin, will undeniably contribute to maximizing our scientific approach and business development in order to reinforce our presence in the biogeneric market targeted by our firm."
Within the framework of this agreement, Viropro will benefit from Parteurop's solid presence as well as its expertise in the bio-pharmaceutical sector. Similarly, the Parteurop scientific team will, through close collaboration with the Viropro team, be able to offer a portfolio of specialized services in the technology transfer field to client-partners of the company.
About Parteurop
Founded in 1991 by Jacques-Francois Martin, Parteurop is a consulting company, based in Lyon, France. Parteurop's core practices focus on consulting, private equity, financing in the Life Sciences field and training of biological products. Parteurop relies upon a diversified network of international consulting and financial partners. Parteurop's vision is to build long-term value with its clients who are important participants involved in the life sciences network from start-up, pharmaceutical companies, academic research and civil society.
For more information on Parteurop, please visit their website on http://www.parteurop-dev.com
About Viropro Inc.
Viropro Inc. operates mainly through its subsidiary Viropro International Inc. with its Head Office in Montreal, Canada. Viropro is a company specializing in marketing its know-how and expertise in technology transfer for industrial production of therapeutic proteins. Its primary objective is to assist pharmaceutical companies in regions of the globe with unmet medical needs such as South America, Asia and Africa. Viropro develops and sells therapeutic proteins at a competitive price. Besides today's announcement, Viropro has concluded other strategic alliances with renowned scientific and business partners, both at the national and international levels. Viropro relies on a business model built to generate short and medium term recurrent revenues while increasing the value of stock for both the company and its shareholders.
For more information on Viropro Inc, please visit our website on www.viropro.com
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 harbour 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.