GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and Biosynexus Announce Partnership to Prevent Multi-resistant Bacteria Infection
 
Gaithersburg, MD, October 2, 2002
 
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (GSK Biologicals), the vaccine research, development and production center of GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) and Biosynexus announce today that they have entered into an exclusive collaborative agreement to develop and commercialize staphylococcal antibodies and vaccines to prevent and treat infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria.
 
Biosynexus' lead product in its extensive development pipeline, BSYX-A110 monoclonal antibody for preventing staphylococcal infections in neonates and adults, is included in the agreement. The compound is currently in clinical trials in premature babies at multiple sites across the United States. Phase I adult trials met safety and tolerability targets, and also demonstrated outstanding pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic capabilities.
 
The agreement calls for the parties to co-develop BSYX-A110 monoclonal antibodies currently in clinical development and to enable GSK Biologicals to develop a staphylococcal vaccine using Biosynexus antigen discovery and conjugation technologies. Biosynexus will co-promote monoclonal antibody technology in the US and share in the profits. GSK Biologicals will market the product outside the US and Biosynexus will receive royalties. The agreement includes the payment of access fees, equity investments and performance-based milestone payments to be made by GSK Biologicals.
 
"This collaborative agreement will combine Biosynexus expertise in monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for the prevention and treatment of hospital-acquired infections with GSK Biologicals expertise and strong track record in developing biologicals and bringing vaccines to market worldwide. We are very happy to continue and expand our interactions with the key scientists at Biosynexus," said Jean Stéphenne, President and General Manager, GSK Biologicals.
 
"Key scientists at Biosynexus and GSK Biologicals have been working together for more than 10 years on vaccines for preventing bacterial infections. This agreement combines our anti-staphylococcal monoclonal antibodies expertise and significant experience in neonatal antibody trials with GSK Biologicals' leadership in vaccine development, manufacturing, regulatory development, and worldwide marketing and sales," commented Dr. Gerald Fischer, President and CEO of Biosynexus.
 
Hospital-acquired, multi-drug resistant bacterial infections account for more than $4 billion annually in the US alone with mortality rates of up to 35%. Staphylococci are the most common cause of the 250,000 bloodstream bacterial infections acquired annually in intensive care.
 



GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, the world's leading vaccine manufacturer, is located in Rixensart, Belgium. Rixensart is the center of all GlaxoSmithKline's activities in the field of vaccine research, development and production. GSK Biologicals employs over 1,000 research scientists who are devoted to discovering new vaccines and developing more cost-effective and convenient combination products to prevent infections which cause serious medical problems worldwide. In the year 2001 GSK Biologicals distributed over 900 million doses of vaccines to 171 countries, an average of 29 doses per second.
 



GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.



Biosynexus Incorporated is a privately held biotechnology-pharmaceutical company that is commercializing a portfolio of protein-based products – monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, enzymes and peptides – for the prevention and treatment of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections. The company is focusing its initial efforts on developing products for the prevention and treatment of staphylococcal infections.
 



GlaxoSmithKline UK Media Inquiries
Martin Sutton     Tel: (020) 8966 8372
 
GlaxoSmithKline US Media Inquiries
Patty Seif     Tel: (215) 751 7709
 
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
Anne P Walsh     Tel: (+32 2) 656 9831 or (32) 475 835782
 
Biosynexus Incorporated Tel: (301) 330 5800
Jeff Fischer (jefffischer@biosynexus.com)
Bob Latchford (boblatchford@biosynexus.com)
 
Biosynexus Incorporated Media Inquiries
Cindy Leggett-Flynn     Tel: (212) 333 3810
Wendel Carson
Nina Pawlak