Three finalists named for the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD 2006

The following companies – listed below in alphabetical order – will be travelling to Zurich for the grand finale on 12 October 2006:

• amaxa GmbH, Cologne/Germany
  Founded in 1998, the biotech company amaxa develops and markets innovative products for non-viral gene transfer, enabling researchers to efficiently deliver DNA or siRNA into cells to elucidate the function of genes. amaxa currently employs a workforce of 145 and generated sales of 16.6 million euros in 2005. In addition to its headquarters in Cologne, amaxa also operates a facility in Gaithersburg/USA.
• Genmab A/S, Copenhagen/Denmark
  The Danish biotech company Genmab specializes in the production and development of human antibodies for the treatment of life-threatening and debilitating cancers and infectious diseases. Employing a staff of 220, the company reported sales of 13.2 million euros in 2005. In addition to its main production facility in Copenhagen, Genmab also has operations in Utrecht/Netherlands, Hitchin/UK and Princeton/USA.
• Intercell AG, Vienna/Austria
  Founded in Vienna in 1998, Intercell is a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative vaccines for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The company currently employs 160 people, and posted sales of 8.5 million euros in 2005. Intercell also has a manufacturing facility in Livingston/Scotland and a business development unit in Mooresville/USA.

The award ceremony for the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD 2006 takes place on 12 October 2006. The proceedings begin at 5.30 p.m., immediately following the Biotech CEO Conference hosted by the German Stock Exchange and DZ BANK AG in the Park Hyatt Hotel in Zurich.

Before the official presentation of prizes a series of distinguished speakers will take to the podium to talk about future directions in biotechnology and the life sciences. The line-up is as follows: Dr. Annette Schavan, Federal Minister for Education and Research, Berlin; Dr. Peter Hug, a member of the Executive Committee of F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel; Jörn Aldag, Chairman of the Board of Evotec AG, Hamburg; and Dr. Hans-Jürgen Leuchs, a member of the Board of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Ingelheim. The jury chairman Prof. Dr. Peter Stadler will then deliver the eulogy and present the prizes to the winners of the EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD 2006.

"The EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD is Europe's most important and valuable prize for small and medium-sized enterprises working in biotechnology and the life sciences," explains Stephan Ph. Kühne, a member of the Board at Deutsche Messe AG in Hannover, which organizes the annual Award. "With the prize award ceremony, talks by guest speakers and an informal get-together for all participants, the event creates the perfect business platform for biotech professionals to network and make valuable contacts," Kühne adds.

The event package accompanying the presentation of the 4th EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD highlights the latest industry trends emerging from the collaboration between the major pharmaceutical players and innovative biotechnology companies. "The keynote addresses are sure to stimulate plenty of lively debate at the informal get-together afterwards," Kühne predicts.

One of the chief aims underlying the annual EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD and the biennial international trade fair BIOTECHNICA is to promote the formation of effective biotech networks. The next BIOTECHNICA show will take place from 9 to 11 October 2007, when business enterprises and research organizations working in this field will meet again in Hannover to share information and compare notes.

Your contact for further information:
Inga Waldeck
Tel.: +49 (0) 511/89-3 10 26
Fax: +49 (0) 511/89-3 96 95
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For further information, please visit:
www.biotechnica.de