The newly granted European Patent No. EP 1636352 entitled "Improvement in Virus Production," covers the material, process and use of the VIRUSMAX technology that is the basis for the Microbix/Hunan Joint venture - which is underway to build Asia's largest influenza vaccine production facility and the third largest vaccine plant in the world. The first phase of the facility is expected to be fully operational in 2013.
Crucible International Biotechnologies Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Microbix, is facilitating the start-up and operation of this joint venture and will advance the commercialization of its VIRUSMAX™ technology in other markets, which are protected by patents that run well beyond the next decade. The new facility in China will ultimately have the capacity to produce more than 100 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine annually, and up to 300 million doses of a pandemic influenza vaccine in the event of an outbreak to immunize against a single strain of influenza.
William J. Gastle, Microbix' Chief Executive Officer, said: "With the European patent in hand, Microbix' vaccine enhancement technology has patent protection in the world's largest markets. We can now look for further opportunities for VIRUSMAX, beyond the China market, with a dominant patent estate."
About VIRUSMAX™
VIRUSMAX Technology is an improved process for recovery of virus from virus-infected chick embryos (eggs). Virus associated with granular and fibrous debris in the allantoic fluid can be disassociated from the debris and recovered, thereby increasing viral yield. Dissociation can be achieved by conditions such as subjecting the virus-debris complex to conditions of increased iconicity. The application of this non-toxic technique leads to the liberation of insoluble debris phase-associated influenza virus and significantly augments viral yield. These increases in yield can be used to increase the productivity of influenza vaccine manufacturing processes.
About Hunan Joint Venture
In 2008, Microbix and the Hunan Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (a Hunan Province state-owned enterprise) entered into a 50:50 joint venture to build and operate a new influenza vaccine facility in Changsha National Biomedical Park near Changsha City, the capital of Hunan Province. As part of this prior agreement, Hunan will purchase 75% of total vaccine output from the facility in its first seven years of operation, representing estimated revenue of $500 million. Going forward, Hunan has committed to Microbix that it will assist in facilitating additional supply agreements with other provinces. And, as part of its broader outreach to China, Microbix expects to enter into a delivery partnership with one of the largest Chinese pharmaceutical distributors.
About Microbix Biosystems
Microbix Biosystems Inc. specializes in the development of biological technologies and commercializing them through global partners. The Company has intellectual property in large market biotherapeutic drugs, vaccine technologies and animal reproduction technologies. Established in 1988, Microbix is headquartered in Toronto.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements including the risks associated with operations in Foreign jurisdictions and foreign governments, risks associated with construction generally and with specialized construction requirements of a influenza vaccine facility, risks associated with production including control over costs, quality, quantity and timeliness of delivery of products, foreign currency and exchange rate risk, and risks of raising capital on acceptable terms or at all. These forward-looking statements represent the Companies' judgment as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
For further information:
Visit www.microbix.com or contact:
William J. Gastle
CEO
(416) 234-1624 x 230
James Long
CFO
(416) 234-1624