DSM and Agennix Sign New Contract for Commercial Manufacture of Talactoferrin

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DSM Pharmaceutical Products, the custom manufacturing business of Royal DSM N.V. (NYSE, Euronext: DSM KON), and Agennix AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: AGX) have signed a new contract under which DSM will continue to manufacture talactoferrin for Agennix at commercial levels.

DSM is currently manufacturing talactoferrin for use in ongoing clinical trials, including the FORTIS-M trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and will continue to supply clinical trials as well as a potential commercial launch. Rajesh Malik, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Management Board member of Agennix, said, "We are pleased to continue our productive relationship with DSM. Their long-term experience with talactoferrin will be invaluable as we work with them in preparation for a potential product approval and subsequent commercialization of talactoferrin.  It is important for Agennix to put in place now the key elements of the talactoferrin supply chain, and expanding our contract with DSM is an important part of this process." Agennix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies that have the potential to substantially improve the length and quality of life of critically ill patients in areas of major unmet medical need.

Villaume Kal, Vice President of DSM BioSolutions, a business unit of DSM Pharmaceutical Products serving the biopharmaceutical market, stated, "This agreement recognizes intensive collaboration between DSM and Agennix. DSM's process design for application in large scale manufacturing largely contributed to this success and we are delighted to continue our support of Agennix." Under the contract, DSM will manufacture the oral Dendritic Cell Mediated Immunotherapy (DCMI) talactoferrin for Agennix at commercial levels in anticipation of positive Phase III clinical data and product approval. The contract includes the opportunity to significantly expand production capacity as needed.

No financial terms were disclosed.

DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™

Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM's 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of about EUR 9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsmbiosolutions.com and www.dsm.com.

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM's future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading.

SOURCE DSM Pharmaceutical Products