London, UK, and Pittsboro, North Carolina, USA, July 14, 2008 – MRC Technology (MRCT) (London,
UK) and Biolex Therapeutics, Inc. (Pittsboro, North Carolina, USA) announced today that MRCT had successfully completed the humanization of a novel antibody targeting CD20, indicated in Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis. Biolex is applying its proprietary glycosylation optimization technology to the antibody, BLX-301, to enhance efficacy and potency of the product candidate and potentially reduce certain side effects.

“We are delighted to have been able to provide Biolex with a humanized version of its CD20 antibody. The project was completed on schedule and the resulting antibody retained all desired binding characteristics,” said Dr. Tarran Jones, Director of MRCT’s Therapeutic Antibody Group (TAG). “This collaborative project marks the 35th monoclonal antibody that we have successfully humanized using our proprietary humanization technology over the past 20 years.” Biolex will retain all development and commercialization rights to the humanized antibody, and MRCT will receive regulatory milestone payments and royalties upon its successful development.
Additional financial terms were not disclosed.

“We have been pleased to collaborate with MRCT on this project and appreciate the successful track record they have demonstrated in the area of antibody humanization,” said Mr. Jan Turek, President & CEO of Biolex Therapeutics. “Applying the glycosylation optimization capabilities of our LEX SystemSM to a humanized antibody provides the potential for a next-generation product that offers a therapeutic advantage while also addressing the relatively low potency and problematic side-effect burden of the current standard of care.”