20 April 2006 -  Collaboration strengthening between 2 Walloon spin-offs

Eurogentec and Delphi Genetics - Distribution of kits for protein cloning and expression in bacteria

Liège, April 20, 2006 - Eurogentec announced the distribution of a new generation of kits for gene cloning and protein expression in bacteria. These kits constitute the first elements of a new range of the Staby™ Operating System (SOS). Developed and produced by Delphi Genetics S.A., these kits combine the unique advantages of ccdA and ccdB genes belonging to the "poison-antidote" bacteria systems.

The combined use of these genes allows to increase significantly the stability of cloning and expression plasmids and, this, even in the absence of antibiotics in the culture medium. These new vectors contain other innovative technologies. For instance, the StabyCloning™ is a system which allows fast cloning of PCR products in only one orientation. Such cloned insert can easily be exported in other vectors keeping at the same time the stability property. The Staby™ Codon as for it allows the expression of difficult to express proteins containing rare codons in the E.coli bacteria. The StabyExpress™ product has been designed for the expression of proteins in bacteria, mainly for big fermentation volumes. Once again, the increase of the expressed proteins level can be obtained in the absence of antibiotics. The range is completed with the GetStaby™ which allows the researcher to add the stabilisation technology to his own vectors, and through the Staby™ Soft, a software specially developed to advise the users of this range.

"…This collaboration with Eurogentec will allow us to distribute efficiently the kits of our Staby™ range to European research laboratories…" underlines Philippe Gabant.

"The high technological sophistication of our marketing teams, as well as our flexibility allows us to be a good link through export for spin-offs which have good products" explains Daniel Radoux.

About Delphi Genetics

www.delphigenetics.com

Delphi Genetics is a spin-off from the University of Bruxelles (ULB) that was founded in November 2001. Until now, Delphi Genetics' activities have concentrated on DNA engineering services through the "Never Clone Alone" platform. Original products from Delphi Genetics use a technology based on the unique properties of poison-antidote bacteria genes. The research lead over the last years on the Charleroi Aéropole facility and particularly at the "Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaire (IBMM)" allowed the ULB to constitute a patent portfolio covering many applications on these genes. The new challenge of Delphi Genetics is to integrate these innovations in the products proposed on the world biotech market.

About Eurogentec

www.eurogentec.com

Eurogentec was founded in May 1985 as a spin-off of the University of Liège (Belgium).
Eurogentec designs and delivers reliable and innovative services and products for the Life-Science community.
As a leading supplier for genomic and proteomic research, Eurogentec offers oligonucleotide (DNA fragments) synthesis, in particular for the In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD), Real-Time PCR products, DNA MicroArray services and a wide range of kits and consumables. It also gathers know-how in the design of peptides, either for antibody production or bioactive peptide purposes. Antibody production in a wide range of animal models as well as Peptide-, Antibody- and ProteinArrays are also amongst its expertise.
Eurogentec provides integrated solutions, from the cloning of gene until the complete production of GMP clinical batches.

Eurogentec has subsidiaries in France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Since 2001, the company established Nippon EGT joint venture in Japan, opened a subsidiary in the United States, established a partnership in Singapore and acquired an oligonucleotide production facility in San Diego (CA, USA). The headquarters, located in Liège, Belgium, has been transferred in a brand new building which will enable us to reinforce the streamlining of our genomic and proteomic processes.