Dynavax Technologies and Berna Biotech Announce Collaboration
Contact:
Dino Dina, M.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dynavax Technologies Corporation
(510) 848-5100
Berna Biotech Ltd
Béatrice Keller
Communications Manager
communications@bernabiotech.com
Phone +41 (0) 31 980 6522
Fax +41 (0) 31 980 6229
Berkeley, CA and Bern, Switzerland - November 3, 2003 - Dynavax Technologies Corporation and Berna Biotech Ltd (SWX: BBIN) today announced execution of a license and supply agreement under which Berna has granted Dynavax a worldwide, non-exclusive right to utilize Berna's hepatitis B surface antigen, HBsAg, in Dynavax's programs for the development of hepatitis B prophylactic vaccine and hepatitis B therapeutic products employing Dynavax's immunostimulatory sequence, or ISS, technology. Under the agreement, Berna will supply HBsAg to Dynavax and will have the right to elect to commercialize resulting vaccine and therapeutic products on an exclusive basis.
Berna uses the proprietary Hansenula polymorpha yeast Expression System for the production of HBsAg antigen. This is the active ingredient of Berna's hepatitis B vaccine. More than 300 million doses of this vaccine have been supplied worldwide since 1996. No financial details were disclosed.
About Berna
Berna Biotech Ltd. (Swiss Exchange: BBIN) develops, produces and markets vaccines and immunotherapeutics for private and public markets worldwide. Headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, with subsidiaries in Europe and Korea, Berna Biotech employs approximately 900 people. A range of novel and validated proprietary technology platforms support a strong product portfolio. The company markets its primary vaccines products in the hepatitis B, respiratory and travel franchises, and has a broad development pipeline. Development is supported through alliances with academic and commercial partners. In the first half 2003, Berna Biotech achieved a net sales of 158.5 million CHF and an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of 63.7 million CHF. Further information on Berna can be found at www.bernabiotech.com.
About Dynavax
Dynavax Technologies discovers, develops, and intends to commercialize innovative products to treat and prevent allergies, infectious diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases using versatile, proprietary approaches that alter immune system responses in highly specific ways. Dynavax's clinical development programs are based on immunostimulatory sequences, or ISS, which are short DNA sequences that enhance the ability of the immune system to fight disease and control chronic inflammation.