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Abonner Unibioscreen S.A./N.V.

Unibioscreen S.A./N.V.

Unibioscreen Secures Further Development of its Two Lead Compounds Into Clinical Phases

Brussels, Belgium (ots/PRNewswire)

Unibioscreen S.A., the
Brussels specialist oncology company, is pleased to announce that it
has succeeded in the closing of a new financing round of EUR 5
million from existing shareholders (ING, Société Générale Asset
Management, E-capital, Brustart, UFG-Group and business angels) and
from Hunza Ventures. This round brings the total amount raised since
the Company's inception to date to EUR 27 million.
It strengthens the company's balance sheet and allows the
progression of Unibioscreen's two lead compounds, UNBS1450 and
UNBS5162, into clinical trials in cancer patients by mid 2008. These
two compounds present novel mode of action and will be developed
respectively in Europe and in the US.
In Europe the principal investigators are Dr Patrick Schöffski
(UZ Gasthuisberg) and Dr Hans Gelderblom (Leiden Hospital) and in the
US a draft IND prepared by Dr Daniel Von Hoff (principal investigator
for UNBS5162) has been accepted by the FDA.
Entry in phase II clinical trials is planned for late 2009.
This financing round is part of an ongoing larger round to be
completed by this summer.
The company has also reorganized its management structure to
prepare its entry into clinical development phases.
Christiane Verhaegen will temporarily combine the mission of
Chief Executive Officer with her former role as the Company's Chief
Financial Officer. She commented: "I am very pleased that we have
secured this additional funding from both our existing shareholders
and from new investors. These new funds will allow us to advance the
development of our lead compounds into clinical phases and to
reinforce our financial position. The fundraising reconfirms our
shareholders confidence in our anti-cancer therapeutics approach. Our
investors bring more than just cash and I am pleased they are joining
this promising endeavour."
Dr Robert Kiss, former Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Scientific Officer, will remain Chief Scientific Officer focusing on
leading the company's research activities.
The company has also strengthened its commercial and corporate
capabilities with the appointment of Dimitri F Dimitriou as
commercial advisor, focusing on licensing and business development.
Mr Dimitriou is the Chief Executive of ImmuPharma plc and the founder
of DyoDelta Biosciences, a company specializing in deals in the
pharma/biotech sector. He was previously Senior Director of Worldwide
Business Development at GlaxoSmithKline and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The company is in the process of hiring an expert in clinical
development in oncology.
Notes to the Editors
About Unibioscreen
Unibioscreen is a specialist oncology drug discovery and
development company, working on novel, first-in-class compounds, with
two blockbuster-potential drugs entering clinical development phases
mid-2008.
Unibioscreen's core business is the identification and
development of New Chemical Entities for the targeted treatment of
cancer and its metastases, with focus on cytotoxic/cytostatic
chemotherapeutics that kill apoptosis- resistant and multidrug
resistant cancer cells and anti-migratory drug candidates that fight
metastases.
Unibioscreen was first founded in 1999, is located in Brussels
and has currently 28 FTEs.
More information is available on http://www.unibioscreen.com.
About Hunza Ventures
Hunza Ventures is the venture capital arm of a privately held
group which focuses on life sciences and high-tech industries by
investing in companies with great potential for value creation and by
contributing its business experience, knowledge and network to make
them best-in-class.

Contact:

For further information please contact: Christiane Verhaegen, interim
CEO & CFO,+32-476-98-10-78, christiane.verhaegen@unibioscreen.com;
Dimitri Dimitriou, Chief Business Officer, +44-794-929-3222,
dimitri.dimitriou@dyodelta.com