Watson’s Eden Biodesign and Crucell Sign Vendor Network Agreement Facilitating Access to cGMP Manufacturing Services for V

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom & RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eden Biodesign Ltd. today announced the execution of a non-exclusive Vendor Network Agreement with Crucell, under which Eden Biodesign has become a pre-approved authorized provider of process development and cGMP manufacturing services using Crucell’s proprietary PER.C6® cell line technology. Under the terms of the agreement Eden Biodesign will be able to offer its services to Crucell’s PER.C6® licensees in the field of vaccines and gene therapy.

Eden Biodesign, the biopharmaceuticals business of Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:WPI), has an industry leading reputation and track record in the development and production of a wide range of vaccine and gene therapy products derived from diverse virus types. Eden Biodesign’s custom-designed and licensed cGMP manufacturing facility offers fully segregated viral production at a range of scales, using a variety of production technologies and processes, including a platform approach for the production of adenoviruses in stirred tank suspension culture.

Crucell’s comprehensive package of technology and know-how relating to the human PER.C6® cell line provides a safe and cost-effective manufacturing system for high-yield, large-scale production of vaccines, recombinant proteins and gene therapy products.

The addition of Eden Biodesign to Crucell’s preferred vendor network comes about, in part, as a result of the parties having recently worked together to assist a third party company with extremely rapid and cost-effective progression of an adenoviral product into human clinical trials.

Commenting on the agreement, Crawford Brown, Ph.D., CEO of Eden Biodesign said, “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Crucell and to be able to offer Eden Biodesign’s services to Crucell’s PER.C6® licensees. We have demonstrated that the combination of Crucell’s proven and valuable technology and Eden Biodesign’s expertise in vaccine and gene therapy development and manufacturing delivers tremendous value to our customers by accelerating progression of products into and through clinical development, while maintaining the ability to scale-up production and achieve a highly attractive cost-of-goods.”

About Eden Biodesign

Eden Biodesign, part of Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a globally-integrated biopharmaceutical company offering cell line development, process development and cGMP manufacturing services to leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients around the world. With a reputation for commercializing biopharmaceutical products and processes, the company offers expertise and guidance in multiple sectors. Eden Biodesign’s world class facilities and knowledge in biologics, vaccines, manufacturing, regulatory and technology transfer support ensure that Eden Biodesign offers much more than a traditional CMO. Find out more at www.edenbiodesign.com.

About Crucell

Crucell N.V. (NYSE Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on research development, production and marketing of vaccines, proteins and antibodies that prevent and/or treat infectious diseases. In 2009 alone, Crucell distributed more than 115 million vaccine doses in more than 100 countries around the world, with the vast majority of doses (97%) going to developing countries. Crucell is one of the major suppliers of vaccines to UNICEF and the developing world. Crucell was the first manufacturer to launch a fully-liquid pentavalent vaccine. Called Quinvaxem®, this innovative combination vaccine protects against five important childhood diseases. Over 130 million doses have been sold since its launch in 2006 in more than 50 GAVI countries. With this innovation, Crucell has become a major partner in protecting children in developing countries. Other products in Crucell's core portfolio include a vaccine against hepatitis B and a virosome-adjuvanted vaccine against influenza. Crucell also markets travel vaccines, such as an oral anti-typhoid vaccine, an oral cholera vaccine and the only aluminum-free hepatitis A vaccine on the market. The Company has a broad development pipeline, with several product candidates based on its unique PER.C6® production technology. The Company licenses its PER.C6® technology and other technologies to the biopharmaceutical industry. Important partners and licensees include Johnson & Johnson, DSM Biologics, sanofi-aventis, Novartis, Wyeth, GSK, CSL and Merck & Co. Crucell is headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands, with offices in China, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, the USA and Vietnam. The Company employs over 1300 people. For more information, please visit www.crucell.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson’s current perspective of existing information as of the date of this release. It is important to note that Watson’s goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Watson’s current expectations depending upon a number of factors, risks and uncertainties affecting Watson’s business. These factors include, among others, the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timing and success of product launches; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful compliance with FDA and other governmental regulations applicable to Watson and its third party manufacturers' facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the laws and regulations, including Medicare and Medicaid, affecting among other things, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson’s periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,2009 and Watson’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.



CONTACT:

Eden Biodesign
John D. Wagner
Propel Marketing Group
919-796-9984
[email protected]
www.propelmg.com

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