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Biotec Pharmacon ASA (OSL:BIOTEC) Immunocorp Animal Health AS (IAH), a wholly owned subsidiary of Biotec Pharmacon ASA, has been awarded a major research and development contract by the European Commission. The contract will be undertaken by nine partners from Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, England, Germany and Poland and is entitled "Training network on protective immune modulation in warm water fish by feeding glucans".The contract has been issued under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research and technological development and has a total remit of NOK 24 million (EUR 3 million) over four years. The research project will be based upon applications with the IAH glucan product MacroGard®. MacroGard® is currently sold as an ingredient in animal feed to strengthen the innate immune system. The research contract will enable the company to document new applications for MacroGard® and strengthen the brand as the world's best-documented glucan for use in animal feed. Many aquaculture companies struggle with the challenge of controlling disease outbreaks. Evidence shows that MacroGard® is an important supplement in salmon feed during periods of increased disease exposure, and through the research contract IAH expects to broaden the application of MacroGard® to a variety of other aquaculture species. Marie Curie Initial Training Networks awarded 240 million Euro in 2007 for research and training activities. They are extremely competitive because of their prestige and high remuneration value. For the 2007 call 905 initial applications were received from across Europe of which only the top 65 were selected for funding.
For further information please contact: Managing Director Rolf Nordmo, mobile + 47 90 04 57 97
About MacroGard® MacroGard is an environmentally sound alternative to feed antibiotics and chemotherapeutics for livestock, pets and cultured aquatic organisms. MacroGard® is based on a well-characterized and scientifically proven beta-1,3/1,6-glucan that has been in use world-wide for almost 15 years as an immune modulating agent in animal husbandry and aquaculture.
About Biotec Pharmacon ASA: Biotec Pharmacon develops pharmaceutical products for treatment of immune related diseases. The company has developed the bioactive compound SBG, which is in clinical phase III development within two therapeutic indications; treatment of diabetic ulcers and prevention and treatment of oral mucositis. The company's clinical development program also includes immunotherapy of cancer where combination treatment of SBG and monoclonal antibodies currently is in clinical phase I/II. Additionally, Biotec Pharmacon develops, produces and markets non-pharmaceutical health and diagnostic products. The company's unique enzymes for the research, development and diagnostic markets have been developed from marine sources through Biotec Pharmacon's marine bio-prospecting activity. This activity was further expanded recently through participation in MabCent, a centre for research-based innovation on marine bioactives and drug discovery at the University of Tromsø. Biotec Pharmacon currently employs 56 people, and has offices in Tromsø, Oslo and Long Beach, California. Further information is available at www.biotec.no.
