DSM announces South American biologics contract manufacturing agreement

PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DSM Pharmaceutical Products, the custom manufacturing and technology business of Royal DSM N.V. (NYSE, Euronext: DSM KON), announced today that it has signed a biologics contract manufacturing agreement with its first Brazilian client, RECEPTA Biopharma in Sao Paulo.

The contract covers the process development and cGMP manufacture by DSM of one of RECEPTA's lead antibodies at its facilities based in Groningen, The Netherlands. DSM started production to supply drug substance materials to be used in the initial clinical trials of this antibody beginning in May of 2012. This project represents DSM Biologics first agreement in the high growth South American market place. RECEPTA Biopharma is a biotechnology company dedicated to the research and development of monoclonal antibodies to be used in the treatment of cancer. Alexander Wessels, CEO of DSM Pharmaceutical Products stated, "Working with RECEPTA in Brazil marks further advancement of DSM's stated strategy to grow its presence in high growth economies such as Brazil and South America. Additionally, we are committed to employ our innovative technologies to serve market needs for life-saving treatments."

RECEPTA Biopharma has a business model based on partnerships and collaboration to optimize the utilization of innovations in biotechnology to respond to the needs of society and the Brazilian market to produce effective medicines and less expensive treatments. Jose Fernando Perez, CEO of RECEPTA Biopharma stated, "This manufacturing agreement with DSM moves us one step closer to serving patient needs for this important medical treatment.  We are delighted to strengthen our global network of innovation to bring our new monoclonal antibodies to the market." Karen King, President of DSM Biologics, commented "We are proud to announce that Recepta Biopharma has chosen DSM's services and technology for one of its lead treatments. We have developed a productive partnership throughout the course of this project and we are confident that the research that Recepta has carried out to date will be successfully implemented by the industry leading expertise of DSM's team."   

DSM Biologics focuses on optimizing biopharmaceutical manufacturing through its unique set of technologies and expertise. In addition to the R&D and manufacturing site in Groningen, DSM is building operations in Brisbane, Australia, with the governments of Queensland and the Commonwealth. Brisbane is DSM's blueprint for its 'biologics plant of the future' for biopharmaceuticals manufacturing. DSM's proprietary technologies drive down cost, processing times and capital requirements to meet market demand for life saving medications.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Recepta Biopharma
RECEPTA biopharma is a biotechnology company dedicated to the research and development of monoclonal antibodies to be used in the treatment of cancer. Recepta was the first Brazilian company ever to conduct a Phase II clinical trial for cancer therapies. Monoclonal antibodies are biological molecules that have the capacity to recognize and attach to specific targets on tumor cells. Monoclonal antibodies have already been established as an effective therapeutic option for cancer patients. The company's principal scientific partner, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR), headquartered in New York, has licensed to RECEPTA biopharma the intellectual property rights of four antibodies with demonstrated potential for use in the treatment of several types of cancer. RECEPTA biopharma is also dedicated to generating new antibodies for clinical use. More information at www.receptabiopharma.com.br

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 9 billion euros. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsmbiologics.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.

For more information:

SOURCE DSM