New Consortium Paves the way for Improved Treatment of Hypertension and Associated Vascular Complications

LEIDEN, The Netherlands, November 17 - Top Institute Pharma (TI Pharma) has formed a
consortium with Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Erasmus Medical Centre and
Maastricht University to define new modalities for the treatment of
hypertension (high blood pressure) and associated vascular complications such
as heart and kidney failure, myocardial infarction and stroke. Based on novel
action mechanisms, new drugs may be discovered with the potential to prevent
vascular complications in patients with hypertension: an opportunity to
improve the quality of life for over a billion people worldwide. This
collaboration, involving 3.4 million euros, 9 new research positions, unique
materials and exchange of know-how, is scheduled to last 3 years.

Dutch Top Institute Pharma Attracts International Interest

LEIDEN, The Netherlands - The Danish Council for Strategic Research is visiting the Dutch Top Institute Pharma (TI Pharma) on Thursday, September 10. The purpose of their visit is to learn about the unique Dutch approach on public-private cooperation and the concrete results that are being booked by this institute. In the past, in the European Council, Denmark has cited TI Pharma as a prime example of public-private collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector and is considering following its lead.

ProFibrix Raises US $11 Million (EUR 8 Million) in Series B Financing

LEIDEN, The Netherlands and SEATTLE - ProFibrix B.V., a leader in the development of innovative products for hemostasis and regenerative medicine, today announced the successful closing of a US $11 million series B investment. The financing round was led by new investor Gilde Healthcare Partners, a leading European life sciences investor, who joins existing investor Index Ventures. Dirk Kersten from Gilde will join the company’s Supervisory Board.

New Consortium to Develop Drugs for Neglected Tropical Diseases

LEIDEN, The Netherlands - A new consortium has been formed to boost drug development for the treatment of two deadly diseases, African sleeping sickness and Leishmaniasis, which affect millions of people worldwide. A total budget of nearly 3.6 million euros has been allocated over the next 4 years, to develop effective drugs for these diseases. The consortium includes IOTA Pharmaceuticals, Mercachem, Nycomed, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, the Royal Tropical Institute, the University of Bern, the VU University Amsterdam and TI Pharma.

New Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Join TI Pharma by Signing Two New Projects

LEIDEN, The Netherlands - Three new small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) - Syncom, Synvolux Therapeutics and InteRNA Technologies - have joined public-private partnership TI Pharma by participating in two new projects. These projects, focusing on cancer and inflammatory diseases, have a total budget of nearly 6 million euros.

ProFibrix Initiates Phase II Clinical Trial of its Lead Topical Hemostat Product Fibrocaps(TM)

SEATTLE, Washington, and LEIDEN, The Netherlands - ProFibrix B.V. today announced the start of the company’s Phase II clinical trial for Fibrocaps(TM), the company’s lead topical Hemostat product, with the successful treatment of the first patients for mild to moderate bleeding during liver surgery. ProFibrix expects to complete the study before the end of 2009.

Dutch Consortium Builds Registry Framework for Care of Rare Diseases

LEIDEN, The Netherlands - The Dutch Orphan Disease Registry Consortium is set up in order to build a disease registry framework to collect information on rare diseases, encourage drug development and optimize patient care. The consortium focuses on inborn errors of metabolism as target group of diseases.