15th International Trade Fair, PARTNERING and Conference for Biotechnology (9 – 11 October 2007)

Announcement of finalists for the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD in 2007 –Biotech companies from Denmark and England reach the final round –27 contestants from five countries –Presentation of prizes on 8 October 2007 in Hannover

One of the highlights of BIOTECHNICA 2007 can be expected at the opening ceremony on 8 October, when the prizes will be presented to the winners of the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD 2007. For the fifth time Deutsche Messe will be awarding prizes to leading European companies engaged in biotech and life sciences for promising products and services, related concepts and business ideas. The aim of the award – which is now worth a total of 100,000 euros in prizes – is to strengthen and encourage emerging European companies in the field of biotech and the life sciences.

Interest in the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD this year was greater than ever before with 27 biotech companies from five countries taking part. For the first time entries were submitted by companies from the UK and France. According to Stephan Ph. Kühne, Board member of Deutsche Messe, Hannover, the trade show organizers are “delighted to see an increasing number of participants from outside Germany. The increase in the number of entries from year to year demonstrates that the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD is recognized as an attractive international competition”.

An international jury of renowned biotech experts has drawn up a short list of three finalists. The finalists are from Denmark and the UK.

Bavarian Nordic A/S, Kvistgaards, Denmark
Bavarian Nordic is a leading international bio-pharmaceuticals company that develops and produces innovative vaccines to prevent and treat infectious diseases and cancers. Bavarian Nordic, which currently has approx. 250 employees, had a turnover of 23.5 million euros in 2006.

Genmab A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
Genmab is an international biotechnology company that develops and manufactures human monoclonal antibody-based products for the treatment of debilitating and life-threatening disease. Set up in 1999, the company generated a turnover of 18.2 million euros in 2006. Genmab has 270 employees.

Renovo Group PLc., Manchester, United Kingdom
Renovo develops and manufactures biopharmaceutical products and is a world leader in the research of scar prevention and treatment. Its portfolio includes medical products to prevent the development of scar tissue. Set up in 2000, Renovo – a British company – currently employs around 160.

The major criteria in the selection of the award winners were the marketability, market relevance and impact of the products and services under consideration, as well as the existence of a potentially successful marketing concept and strategy. The winner amongst the three finalists will be announced during the award presentation, which forms part of the opening ceremony for BIOTECHNICA on 8 October in the Convention Center at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds.

The international jury comprises:
–Professor Dr. Peter J. W. Stadler, CEO, ARTEMIS  Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Cologne, Germany (Chairman)
–Dr. Luca Benatti, founder and CEO, Newron Pharmaceuticals SPA, Bresso, Italy
–Professor Dr. Horst Domdey, Chairman of the Board at BioM, Martinsried, Germany
–Professor Dr. Oreste Ghisalba, Novartis Pharma AG, Basle, Switzerland
–Michel Gréco, expert on vaccines and former president of Aventis Pasteur SA, Paris, France
–Dr. Karsten Henco, founder of Qiagen and Evotec, as well as CEO of U3 Pharma AG, Martinsried, Munich, Germany
–Professor. Dr. Karl Kuchler, Head of the Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Vienna University, Austria
–Dr. Philippe Pouletty, founder and CEO of Truffle Venture, as well as President of France Biotech, Paris, France
–Professor Dr. Rolf G. Werner, Managing Director Biopharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Biberach, Germany
–Professor Dr. Roland Wolf, Director of Science CXR Biosciences as well as head of the Biomedical Research Centre, University of Dundee, United Kingdom
 
Commenting upon the three finalists, jury member Professor Peter J.W. Stadler points out: “The three finalists are exceptionally innovative biotech companies. Each has an impressive track record. Their enterprise and commitment is not only an important basis upon which they can build future business success – it also contributes to the fortunes of the European bio-sciences sector as a whole. For these companies the Award offers an opportunity to show a broader audience how they intend to implement and further develop innovative ideas.”

Instead of the 40,000 euros previously paid out to finalists, this year’s contestants competed for prizes worth a total of 100,000 euros. 20,000 euros in cash will go to the winner. Further prizes include a stand at BIOTECH CHINA 2008 in Shanghai, an extensive offer of advice and counselling from CapGemini, the IPO Welcome Package provided by Deutsche Börse, as well as advertisements in the European Biotechnology News and membership of EuropaBio, the European Association for Bio-industries. Günter Verheugen, Vice-president of the European Commission, will present the prizes.

Information about the winners in previous years as well as details of the conditions of participation can be found online at www.biotechnica-award.de.