February 27, 2010

PROTECS and Fraunhofer Advance Vaccine Manufacturing in Newark, Delaware

The Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, a not-for-profit, 501 (c3) research organization, announced today that it has received a $60,000 gift from PROTECS, Inc., to complete its new, state of-the-art vaccine manufacturing plant in Newark, Delaware.

According to Dr. Vidadi Yusibov, Executive Director of the Center, “The donation by PROTECS is important because it will aid the advancement of new vaccine manufacturing capabilities currently under development at Fraunhofer CMB. While CMB has developed a unique production platform for vaccine manufacturing, the service from PROTECS and their commitment to our project has been an important factor in helping us move forward with this new technology.”

PROTECS is a single source project and construction management company dedicated to providing turnkey facility related capital projects to high-tech companies. Specializing in leasehold improvements, renovations, new buildings and additions for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries among others, PROTECS provided construction services to Fraunhofer CMB for its pilot vaccine manufacturing plant.

Chris DiPaolo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PROTECS believes the collaboration between his company and Fraunhofer demonstrates the creativity and flexibility that makes PROTECS a good business partner. “We are delighted to present this gift to Fraunhofer USA CMB to assist in the important work they are doing to bring safe, effective vaccines to global populations at reasonable costs. It was an honor to be selected as a valued partner on a project with such potential to positively impact global health.”

The Center’s new pilot production facility is nearing completion and following engineering test runs and facility validation to ensure FDA quality standards are met, production of product for clinical trials is expected to begin in 2010.

About Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology:

Fraunhofer USA CMB was established in 2001 as a partnership between Fraunhofer, Germany and the State of Delaware. Fraunhofer CMB is part of Fraunhofer USA, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that has six research Centers in the United States. Fraunhofer CMB is located at the Delaware Technology Park in Newark and conducts research in the field of plant biotechnology, developing cutting edge technologies to assist the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human and animal diseases. The Center houses scientists with expertise and excellence in plant virology, pathology, molecular biology, immunology, vaccinology, protein engineering and biochemistry.

Contacts:

Fraunhofer Contact:
Dale Ervin, 302-369-1708 ext. 120
dervin@fraunhofer-cmb.org

or

PROTECS Contact:
Bill Hunter, 610-941-1001 ext. 307
bhunter@protecsinc.com