DSM and Merial to Explore the Use of DSM's Algal Expression System for Animal Vaccine Development

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DSM Nutritional Products, a subsidiary of Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration with Merial Limited under a Development and Option to License Agreement to develop animal health vaccines using DSM's proprietary algal expression system.  

For decades, the production of vaccines for both animal and human diseases has relied on the use of complex production processes. Alternative methods, such as the one being explored by Merial and DSM using microbial algae as the growth platform, may present a faster and more efficient production method.

"We are pleased to join with Merial on this important project that we expect will validate the algal expression system as a viable alternative to egg or cell culture-based vaccines, which would offer important benefits for animal vaccine production," said Peter Nitze, President of the Nutritional Lipids division within DSM Nutritional Products.

As part of the collaboration, Merial will provide R&D funding to DSM to support DSM's costs of developing animal vaccine antigens using this algal expression system. DSM also would be eligible to earn milestone payments, license fees, and royalties on product sales if the collaboration is successful.

Following the successful production of an animal vaccine product under this agreement, and prior to commercialization, DSM and Merial will either enter into a commercial supply agreement for the production of the vaccine antigen or DSM will receive a technology transfer fee to convey the manufacturing rights to Merial.

"Merial is pleased to join with DSM and explore innovative vaccine product solutions by developing manufacturing processes that are simple and cost effective," said Bob Nordgren, Head of Merial Biologicals R&D.

DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
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 around €9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.

About Merial

Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,600 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2011 sales were more than €2 billion ($2.8 billion).

Merial is a Sanofi company.

For more information, please see www.merial.com.

For more information:
DSM Nutritional Products
Cassie France-Kelly
tel. + 1 443-542-2116
email [email protected]

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