Synco BioPartners and Cobra Biomanufacturing form alliance to manufacture plasmid DNA for Phase III trials and commercial supply
21st April 2005

Amsterdam, Netherlands, 21 April 2005 - Synco BioPartners, a leading, contract manufacturing organization, and Cobra Biomanufacturing, an independent custom manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals, announced today that they had formed an alliance to manufacture plasmid DNA for Phase III trials and commercial supply. Under the terms of the agreement, Cobra has granted Synco a license to all its intellectual property rights in the pDNA manufacturing process. This will enable Synco to manufacture pDNA for both Phase III studies and commercial supply. Cobra will continue to offer preclinical, Phase I and Phase II pDNA manufacture.

Synco and Cobra have also agreed to collaborate in the marketing of their pDNA manufacturing services, and to collaborate in providing a first class, integrated service to potential customers.

Dave Thatcher, CEO of Cobra said: “We are very pleased to set up this collaboration. Synco is an established manufacturer with a licensed facility and an impressive track record in the production large-scale recombinant biopharmaceuticals and vaccines for clinical trials and market supply. As Synco’s strengths are in manufacturing, they completely complement our own in development and IP – making them an ideal partner.”

Pierre Warffemius, CEO of Synco Bio Partners B.V. added, “We look forward to a very productive collaboration with Cobra. Cobra is a recognized leader in the plasmid DNA market, and has impressive IP. I believe there are great synergies between their expertise in pDNA and our specialist, large-scale manufacturing capabilities, and I look forward to offering customers a first class service based on these integrating these strong foundations.”

Notes to Editors:

Synco Bio Partners B.V
Synco Bio Partners B.V. is focused on the mmanufacture and development of biopharmaceuticals and has a track record of expertise in the production of recombinant proteins and vaccines. SynCo BioPartners offers a fully integrated range of services in manufacturing and supports biopharmaceutical companies from the earliest stage in process development, through clinical trials to market supply. Established in 2000 and privately owned, SynCo collaborates with a number of leading biopharmaceutical companies, in Europe and the USA. Approximately 100 employees are based at the company’s headquarters and manufacturing facility in Amsterdam, NL. Here, Synco’s activities include analytical and process development for new products, manufacture of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients for licensed products and clinical trials, and sterile filling and lyophilization (for clinical trials and market supply). 

Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc
Cobra is an independent custom manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals, quoted on the London Stock Exchange and with over 8 years experience in the sector. The Company is manufacturing for clinical trials on 5 continents and through its partnership with IAVI and work for EUROVACC and the South African Aids Vaccine Initiative and other private biotech companies is a leading company in the supply of plasmid DNA for DNA vaccines.

Cobra is committed to conducting its manufacturing activities in accordance with appropriate current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and Good Control Laboratory Practice (GCLP) regulations and/or guidelines. The MHRA has granted a “Manufacturer’s Authorization for Investigational Medicinal Products” under the Directive 2001/20/EC and applies to booth the Keele and Oxford facilities. The designated site numbers are: Keele #11618 and Oxford #12486.

For  further details, please contact:

Synco Biopartners
Richard van Rijnsoever, Director Business Development
Tel: +31 (0) 207503607

De Facto Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1000