VaxyGen Manufacturing Services LLC Announces Exclusive License and Collaborative Agreement with Georgia State University Research Foundation to Commercialize Novel Biological Process Development Patent, Expertise & Know-How

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2011/PRNewswire/ -- VaxyGen Manufacturing Services LLC ("VaxyGen") announced today the signing of an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Georgia State University Research Foundation ("GSURF") to provide VaxyGen the exclusive license to a novel patent for producing and purifying proteins in development as biopharmaceutical and vaccine products. In addition, VaxyGen and GSURF established a collaborative agreement whereby VaxyGen will commercialize the expertise and know-how resident in the Georgia State University Biological Process Development and Research Laboratory. Under the terms of the collaborative agreement, Professors George Pierce and Sid Crow will become Scientific/Technical Advisors to VaxyGen and Drs. Trudy Tucker and Shelby Jones will work with VaxyGen in the commercial development of the resident know-how and technology.

Commenting on the license and collaborative agreement, David Dodd, President/CEO, VaxyGen stated, "We have been most impressed with the expertise, know-how, technology and productivity resident within the GSU Biological Process Development and Research Laboratory. One of the greatest identified challenges in the development of life-enhancing biopharmaceutical and vaccine products is establishing consistent, successful optimization, purification and production of the underlying proteins related to development products. The GSU team has demonstrated their novel ability and consistent success in addressing and resolving these very challenging technical issues. We are confident that the biopharmaceutical and vaccine development marketplace will welcome and benefit from the broad commercialization of this technology and overall capability. In the end, patients will most benefit from the contributions resulting from this license and collaboration. We believe that this license and collaborative agreement are an excellent demonstration of improving life through affordable innovation."

Jim Weyhenmeyer, Ph.D., Chairman of GSURF and Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Georgia State University ("GSU"), added, "This agreement between GSURF and VaxyGen is a significant step in demonstrating the high-value translation of research at Georgia State University to improve human life through the successful development of biopharmaceutical and vaccine products. We are proud of the outstanding expertise and knowhow that has been developed at GSU's Biological Process Development and Research Laboratory and, we look forward to the successful contributions of that technology and expertise, ultimately to improve lives throughout the world. VaxyGen is an excellent partner to lead the successful translation of this expertise and know-how into the industry marketplace."

About VaxyGen Manufacturing Services LLC

VaxyGen Manufacturing Services LLC provides custom contract services in support of biological process optimization, scale-up and the development of manufacturing processes relative to biopharmaceutical and vaccine products. The Company is one of the operating businesses within VaxyGen Holdings LLC. VaxyGen Holdings LLC was established to provide vaccine products, assay services and manufacturing services, focused on improving life through affordable innovation.

About Georgia State University Research Foundation

The Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc. (GSURF) is a Georgia nonprofit corporation created to support the research, technology commercialization and economic development activities of GSU. GSURF works to obtain research support funding through individuals, private organizations and public agencies. Grants awarded to the foundation are provided to the university, where scientists are given needed resources to conduct cutting edge research in a variety of fields, leading to new scientific understanding and technologies.

Contact:
Kathryn D. Gallagher
VaxyGen Manufacturing Services LLC
645 Meeting St.
Suite 2
Charleston, SC 29403
kgallagher@vaxygen.com
843/576-9840

SOURCE VaxyGen Manufacturing Services LLC