Novozymes Biopharma Supplies R-Tech Ueno with Albucult for Use in Unique Dry Eye Therapy

NOTTINGHAM, UK – November 15, 2011 – Novozymes Biopharma, part of Novozymes A/S world leader in bioinnovation, has announced that its recombinant human albumin, Albucult, has been selected by R-Tech Ueno for use in a unique treatment for dry eye syndrome. R-Tech Ueno is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in the fields of ophthalmology and dermatology. The Japan-based company will utilize Albucult as a key component in its new therapy which will be the first of its kind developed for the treatment of severe and moderate dry eye conditions. Albucult is manufactured by Novozymes’ long-term technology partner Kaketsuken based in Kumamoto, Japan and marketed by Novozymes world-wide.

Dr Yukihiko Mashima, President of R-Tech Ueno, comments: “Novozymes’ and Kaketsuken’s commitment to supplying products that enhance the safety profile and quality of their partners’ medicines makes them the ideal collaborators for us to work with. Novozymes has a wealth of experience of biomaterials and sets the benchmark for recombinant human albumin.”

Prevalence of dry eye syndrome continues to increase, with the condition having the highest rate of diagnosis of all ophthalmic disorders. As an active ingredient, Albucult confers a range of unique advantages to the development of R-Tech Ueno’s new therapy including an exceptional purity profile and excellent batch-to-batch consistency, which is not possible with animal-derived ingredients.

Dermot Pearson, Marketing Director at Novozymes Biopharma, comments:

“Novozymes is delighted that R-Tech Ueno has selected Albucult for use in the development of this innovative new treatment. The partnership demonstrates our commitment to supplying customers with quality biomaterials that reduce operational and regulatory complexity and minimize manufacturing risk.”

The use of Albucult in R-Tech Ueno’s therapy and other drugs can help to optimize pathways through regulatory approval procedures and improve time–to-market. Albucult also delivers unprecedented performance benefits to protein therapeutics and medical devices while ensuring security of supply and consistent quality. This can drive product development efficiency for customers looking for a compliant albumin alternative.

For further information on Novozymes Biopharma’s Albucult, please visit www.biopharma.novozymes.com

About Novozymes

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries, we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving our customers' business and the use of our planet's resources.

With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes’ bioinnovations improve industrial performance and safeguard the world’s resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s ever-changing marketplace. Read more at www.novozymes.com.

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