Cenix BioScience and ugichem sign research agreement on
development of novel gene silencing technology.
 

DRESDEN, Germany, and INNSBRUCK, Austria; August 31, 2011 - Cenix BioScience GmbH, a leading contract research provider and technology developer specialized in RNAi-, microRNA- and high content-driven pharmacology, and ugichem GmbH, a gene silencing company with an innovative chemistry approach dedicated to expanding the current RNA therapeutics space, today announced that they have entered into a research agreement to advance the latter's technology platform.

Under the agreed work plan, Cenix will apply its long-standing expertise in combining gene silencing analyses with high content screening in cultured cells. Cenix will adapt and implement multi-parametric microscopy-based assays using the Definiens XD image analysis system, to facilitate characterization and optimization of ugichem's so-called Ugimer lead compounds.

"We are excited to launch this new relationship with ugichem and look forward to helping them advance their development programs," said Dr. Christophe Echeverri, CEO/CSO of Cenix. "As we have successfully done for over a decade now, we expect that our specialist expertise and capabilities in this area will uniquely accelerate this innovative technology's maturation".

"We highly welcome Cenix' expert know-how," said Dr. Holger Bock, CEO of ugichem. "This project will strengthen the establishment and validation of our proprietary Ugimer chemistry, to further develop and expand what we think is the only new and promising chemistry approach to RNA therapeutics".

About Cenix BioScience GmbH
Cenix BioScience conducts contract research and technology development focused on cell-based and in vivo applications of RNA interference (RNAi), miRNA modulation and high content phenotyping to accelerate target discovery, target validation, and the non-clinical development of new drug candidates. Now in its 12th year, Cenix has built up leading scientific and commercial track records, successfully progressing therapeutic programs for numerous industry and academic partners in a wide range of disease fields. This success is anchored in the consistent application of scientific and technical best practices in fully customized, multi-staged projects designed to offer maximal strategic value with full data transparency and carefully minimized risk. For more information, visit the company's web site: www.cenix.com

About ugichem GbmH
ugichem is developing proprietary new gene silencing therapeutics, the so-called Ugimers, which allow to overcome all shortcomings of established gene silencing technologies such as antisense oligonucleotides or siRNAs. In contrast to the latter, Ugimers are not derived from natural nucleic acids but exclusively designed towards function. As a result cells currently inaccessible with standard gene silencing technologies or even defined cellular compartments become targetable by Ugimers without the need for additional delivery tools. ugichem's mission is to establish Ugimers as a new class of top-grade medicines, initially focusing on indications requiring targeting of immune cells which are currently not functionally accessible by standard gene silencing compounds. ugichem will further extend its Ugimer gene silencing technology into a therapeutic product platform dedicated to indications that are based on altered gene expression. For additional information, visit the company's web site: www.ugichem.com

Contact
Dr. Christoph Sachse, Director Cell-based Services, Cenix BioScience GmbH
Tel: +49-351-4173-0; Email: info@cenix.com; Web: www.cenix.com

Dr. Holger Bock, CEO, ugichem GmbH
Tel: +43-512-282285-10; Email: contact@ugichem.at; Web: www.ugichem.com

Cenix and the Cenix BioScience logo are registered trademarks owned by Cenix BioScience GmbH. Ugimers are a registered trademark owned by ugichem GmbH. Definiens and Definiens XD are registered trademarks owned by Definiens AG.