SENS-IT-IV Framework 6 EU Grant Award

SENS-IT-IV Framework 6 EU Grant Award                     
  

COBHAM, England (May 8, 2008) - Proteome Sciences plc ("Proteome Sciences") is
pleased to announce that it has been selected to participate as a partner in
the €13.7m Sens-it-iv Framework 6 EU programme, the largest Integrated Project
in the EU funding programme, the aim of which is to develop 'in-vitro'
alternatives to animal tests currently used for the risk assessment of
potential skin or lung conditions.
 

Worldwide, the occurrence of allergies is increasing and has become an
important health problem. In the EU, no 'in-vitro' tests or strategies are yet
available to test the potential of chemical compounds or substances to induce
allergies.  By 2009, elements of products that come into contact with skin or
the respiratory system (intentionally or unintentionally) have to be tested
under EU law.  Without the approved test disclosure, products will not be able
to be sold in the EU.
 

Proteome Sciences is undertaking the proteomics part of the Sens-it-iv project
and has been awarded a grant of €571,000 over the period to 2010.  This is an
important programme supported by the EU to improve safety for the consumer and
the environment and also to achieve a reduction in the levels of animal
testing.  The consortium is made up from 32 members, largely academic, other
than five SMEs and two major commercial partners, L'Oreal and Unilever.
 

Further details of Sens-it-iv can be found at:  http://www.sens-it-iv.eu.
 

Christopher Pearce, CEO of Proteome Sciences commented:
 

"The goal of Sens-it-iv is to replace animal experimentation by in-vitro assays
for skin and respiratory responses in relation to the use of safe ingredients
by the chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, to comply with the new
EU legislation for classification and labeling of chemicals and risk
assessment.
 

From 2009, before any such ingredients can be brought into the EU, they must
have first been evaluated for their safety for humans and the environment. 
This requirement will have a considerable impact across a diverse range of
industries and products.  Proteome Sciences is delighted to be undertaking the
proteomics aspects of this key programme to develop a new generation of
in-vitro assays and to address the social and economic impact for skin and
respiratory conditions and we will also participate in commercial value that
arises from the project."
                                                                               

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About Proteome Sciences:

Proteome Sciences plc (LSE : PRM) is a global leader in applied proteomics,
using high sensitivity proprietary techniques to detect and characterise
differentially expressed proteins in diseases for diagnostic, prognostic and
therapeutic applications.
 

ProteoSHOP® provides integrated proteomic services for biomarker discovery,
validation and measurement in clinical trials and in vitro diagnostics.  Key
features include the proprietary isobaric tandem mass tag technology TMT® for
accurate and reliable biomarker quantification and the ability to rapidly
develop highly reproducible quantitative biomarker assays.
 

The main focus of its research addresses neurological, oncology and
cardiovascular conditions and has discovered blood biomarkers in stroke, brain
damage, solid organ transplant rejection and Alzheimer's disease.  Proteome
Sciences is based in Cobham, UK with facilities in London and Frankfurt.

 
Contact Proteome Sciences plc at www.proteomics.com

 
Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive Officer

James Malthouse, Finance Director

Dr. Ian Pike, Chief Business Officer

Dr Peter Schulz-Knappe, Chief Scientific Officer

Dr Rainer Voegeli, Commercial Director

Tel: [phone]

 

Adrian Shaw, IKON Associates

Tel: [phone]

 

Matt Baldwin, COAST Communications

Tel: [phone]

 

Shaun Dobson, Landsbanki Securities (UK) Limited

Tel: [phone]