Laureate Biopharma Appoints Les Mintzmyer, Vice President, Operations

PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Laureate Biopharmaceutical Services, Inc., a full-service biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization, today announced the appointment of Les Mintzmyer as Vice President, Operations. He will be responsible for continuing Laureate's transition to a full-scale commercial manufacturing operation. This will include preparing for upcoming pre-approval inspections at Laureate's Princeton facility, expanding production capacity with the commissioning of a new 2000L single-use bioreactor train, expanding Laureate's filling business in its freshly renovated filling facility, and planning for a new manufacturing facility. "Les brings a wealth of experience in managing every aspect of biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations," said Michael A. Griffith, Chief Executive Officer. "His combination of technical acuity and management savvy makes Les uniquely qualified to lead the continued expansion of our manufacturing operations to build our business."

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Mr. Mintzmyer has more than 25 years of experience commissioning and operating full-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations. Prior to joining Laureate as Vice President, Operations, Mr. Mintzmyer has served as Vice President, Manufacturing Operations for Avid BioServices, Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations at ImClone; Director, Operational Excellence and Director, Manufacturing for Genentech; and Director of Manufacturing at Bristol-Myers Squibb. As Director of Manufacturing at Bristol-Myers Squibb, he led the creation of a biologics manufacturing capability that obtained FDA licensure and launched Orencia® in 2005. Mr. Mintzmyer earned a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Colorado State University, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. For more information related to Laureate Biopharma's capabilities and ongoing improvements, please visit www.LBioS.com.

About Laureate Biopharmaceutical Services, Inc.

Laureate Biopharmaceutical Services, Inc. is a full-service biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization. Laureate Biopharma's scientists are expert in process development and cGMP production of therapeutic proteins, including monoclonal antibodies and Fc-fusion proteins. In addition, the company's portfolio of services includes aseptic filling, cell line development, analytical and stability testing, and regulatory support. Laureate Biopharma has served a global client base from its Princeton, New Jersey facility since 1981, and is a portfolio company of Saints Capital, LLC. For more information, please visit www.LBioS.com.

About Saints Capital, LLC.

Saints Capital is a leading direct secondary acquirer of venture capital and private equity investments in emerging growth companies around the globe. It also makes traditional direct venture capital investments on a primary basis and, in special situations, in technology, healthcare, consumer and industrial companies in the United States. Founded in 2000, Saints provides liquidity for private investors in such markets as investment and commercial banks, buyouts, corporate venture capital and hedge funds. Saints has more than $1 billion of committed capital under management, over 50 completed portfolio transactions and investments in more than 200 companies. For more information, please visit www.saintsvc.com.

For more information, contact: Imara Charles, Ph.D., Director of Project Management, Laureate Biopharma, at (609) 919-3367 or [email protected], or visit www.LBioS.com.

SOURCE Laureate Biopharmaceutical Services, Inc.