Ergomed Signs Co-Development Collaboration Agreement with Genzyme Corporation to Develop Tasidotin in Oncology

Frankfurt, Germany; May 6th, 2009-Ergomed announced today that it has
signed an agreement with Genzyme Corporation on the co-development of
tasidotin, a novel dolastatin analogue that has shown efficacy
signals and a good safety profile in previous oncology clinical
trials.

As part of the agreement, Ergomed will advance the oral formulation
of tasidotin, developed by Genzyme, into clinical trials. In an
earlier Phase II clinical trial sponsored by Genzyme, the intravenous
formulation of tasidotin demonstrated clinical activity in patients
with melanoma. Tasidotin's mechanism of action is believed to inhibit
cell proliferation by suppressing spindle microtubule dynamics
through a reduction of the shortening rate; reduction of the
switching frequency from growth to shortening; and reduction of the
time microtubules grow.

"Tasidotin has a promising future with established human clinical
safety and a solid rationale for efficacy against particular
cancers," said Dr. Miroslav Reljanovic, Chief Executive Officer of
Ergomed. "We are delighted to have signed our second development
license agreement in line with our stated strategy for Ergomed's
Product Development Division to assist both biotechnology and
pharmaceutical partners in the successful clinical development of
drug candidates."

"We are pleased to be advancing the tasidotin development program
with Ergomed as our partner," said Mark Enyedy, president of Genzyme
Oncology and Multiple Sclerosis. "Genzyme and Ergomed have
established a long and successful relationship in Multiple Sclerosis
and CLL studies and we look forward to extending our collaboration to
draw upon Ergomed's strong expertise in oncology clinical
development."

The Ergomed Group offers clinical development services for the
biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry specializing in
therapeutics for oncology, neurology and immunology. Ergomed also
engages in shared risk ventures through co-development agreements.
With it's infrastructure in Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle
East and the USA, Ergomed offers cost effective and efficient drug
development.

This is the second co-development deal that Ergomed has completed and
is in addition to the ongoing Phase II partnership with Paion in
cancer pain.

About Ergomed
ERGOMED is a specialised international clinical development company
offering contract clinical research and co-development partnerships
to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide in the fields
of neurology, oncology and immunology. Ergomed's approach to clinical
research ensures effective patient recruitment, reducing the time and
costs of clinical trials and complementing the drug discovery
capabilities of its customers and partners. The Company has a dual
business model offering standard clinical trial management contracts
and also co-development partnerships to share the risks and rewards
of clinical development. Ergomed is headquartered in Frankfurt,
Germany, and also has offices in UK, Russia, Croatia, Poland, Spain,
UAE, Serbia and the USA. The collaboration with Genzyme Corporation
represents the second co-development agreement that Ergomed has
entered. The first is a collaboration with Paion regarding a novel
NDMA receptor antagonist (CNS 5161) for the treatment of neuropathic
pain and cancer pain. The companies recently reported positive data
from a Phase IIa study in opioid refractory cancer pain. For further
information visit www.ergomed-cro.com.

For further information please contact:

ERGOMED Group MC Services
Dr Miroslav Reljanovic Hilda Juhasz
CEO
t: +385 (0)1 4628503 t: +49 89 210 228 0
e: ergomed@ergomed-cro.com e: hilda.juhasz@mc.services.eu
www.ergomed-cro.com www.mc-services.de

The press release can be downloaded from the following link:

This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is
solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Copyright © Hugin AS 2009. All rights reserved.