Vivalis and Fort Dodge Animal Health Sign a Commercial License Agreement to Use the EB66(R) Cell Line for Viral Vaccines Production

NANTES, FRANCE and OVERLAND PARK, KS--(Marketwire - March 03, 2009) -

Vivalis (NYSE Euronext: VLS) and Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), today announced the signing of a commercial license to use the EB66® cell line, a proprietary product of Vivalis, for the production of several veterinary vaccines.

“Vivalis is pleased to enter in this new commercial agreement with one of the major players in this field. This agreement confirms that our EB66® cell line is a very attractive alternative to embryonated eggs for the industrial production of viral vaccines both for human and animal health,” said Franck Grimaud, Vivalis CEO.

“This collaboration demonstrates Fort Dodge’s continuous commitment to evaluate and utilize novel technology, which may offer several potential advantages over conventional methods for the development and manufacture of biologics for animal health,” said Steve Chu, DVM, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Animal Health Research and Development, Fort Dodge Animal Health.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed

About the EB66® cell line.

EB66® cell line, derived from duck embryonic stem cells, presents unique industrial and regulatory characteristics such as long-term genetic stability, immortality and cell growth to high cell densities in suspension in a serum-free medium.

The BMF (Biologics Master File) for the registration of the EB66® cell line with the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) was filed June 27, 2008.

EB66® cell line is currently used or tested by 75% of the world players in vaccines. With 24 licenses already signed, the EB66® cell line is becoming a new standard cell substrate for biologics production.

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About Vivalis

VIVALIS (NYSE- Euronext: VLS) is a biopharmaceutical company that provides innovative cell-based solutions to the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of vaccines and proteins, and develops drugs for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. VIVALIS’ expertise and intellectual property are exploited in three main areas:

1. The development and manufacturing of vaccines. VIVALIS offers research and commercial licenses for its EB66® cell line, derived from duck stem cells, to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for the production of vaccines. Vivalis receives up front, milestones, and royalties on its licensees’ net sales.

2. The development of production systems for recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. VIVALIS licenses its EB66® cell line for the production of recombinant proteins to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Vivalis receives up front, milestones, and royalties on its licensees’ net sales.

3. The construction of a portfolio of proprietary products in the area of vaccines and anti-viral molecules (hepatitis C).

Based in Nantes (France), VIVALIS was founded in 1999 by the Grimaud group (1,450 employees), the second largest group worldwide in animal genetic selection. VIVALIS has established more than 30 partnerships and licenses with world leaders in this sector. VIVALIS is a member of the French ATLANTIC BIOTHERAPIES bio-cluster.

Learn more about Vivalis at www.vivalis.com

Practical Information about Vivalis shares:

Listed on Euronext Paris - Compartment C of NYSE Euronext

Reuters: VLS.PA - Bloomberg: VLS FP

Included in NYSE Euronext’s Next Biotech index

About Fort Dodge Animal Health (www.fortdodge.com)

Fort Dodge Animal Health is a leading manufacturer and distributor of animal health products for the companion animal, equine, livestock, swine and poultry industries in North America and international markets. As a committed partner to veterinary practitioners and animal owners worldwide, Fort Dodge is making a difference through innovative research and product development that address current and emerging animal health needs. Key products include West Nile-Innovator® and the Innovator® combination vaccines, the Duramune® and Fel-O-Vax® vaccine lines, CYDECTIN®, the Pyramid® and Triangle® vaccine lines, Poulvac® FluFendTM i H5N3 RG, Bursine® and Quest® Gel. The company headquarters are located in Overland Park, Kan.

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