Collaboration on the discovery and the development of new drug targets and candidates for CNS diseases

GENOPIA Biomedical LLC (GENOPIA), a biotechnology firm headquartered in Saarbücken, Germany and Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CIPH) in Fremont, CA, will collaborate on the discovery and the development of new drug targets and candidates for CNS diseases. GENOPIA Biomedical focuses on the development of novel drug candidates and uses advanced proteomics as its main drug discovery and high-throughput screening tool, while Ciphergen Biosystems is a world leader in the development of proteomics technology, most notably its SELDI (Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization) ProteinChip® technology. The close collaboration between GENOPIA and Ciphergen reflects the growing importance of proteomics in modern drug discovery. Plans include the joint development of highly customized ProteinChip® surfaces to meet GENOPIA ’s needs for its proprietary drug targets.

Drs. Bernhard Schu (CEO) and Helge Völkel (CSO) of GENOPIA , commented on the collaboration between the two companies: “Stroke is one of the most common neurological conditions, and represents one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the 21st century. Scientists at GENOPIA have identified proteins that play key roles in the cellular response to hypoxia and hypoxia-reperfusion injury, key components of stroke. In a mouse model of stroke, we were able to demonstrate the importance of these target proteins. The use of specially adapted, state-of-the-art Ciphergen ProteinChip® technology will greatly accelerate our drug discovery process, and also allow us to shorten the time to further characterize our already identified drug candidates.”

Drs. Bernhard Schu and Helge Voelkel continued “The objective is to accelerate protein biology research, with the same ease and success in which genomic and molecular biology research is done today. We envision new products that combine the expertise of both companies to create rapid ‘gene to protein’ transcription, translation, and protein purification capabilities at various scales, tagged or tag-free, as well as advanced ‘on-chip’ molecular-interaction and cellular assay platforms that further enable functional genomics.”

This press release contains statements on planned developments. The release reflects the intentions and opinions of GENOPIA Biomedical and Ciphergen, Inc., at the time of the release. This release is not be construed as a binding statement by either company.