GCOR Genencor International, (MM)

Genencor to Receive Patent for I-MUNE(R) Assay Technology Enables Reduction Or Enhancement of Immune Response to Proteins and Protein-Based Therapeutics PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genencor International (NASDAQ:GCOR) today announced that it has been notified a U.S. patent on its I-MUNE(R) Assay will be granted on December 28, 2004. The assay is a unique method of identifying the components of proteins that induce an immunogenic response. The grant of the U.S. patent will complement Genencor's previously granted European patent to I-MUNE technology. Information provided by the assay is useful for designing proteins with either enhanced immunogenicity (e.g., for vaccines) or reduced allergenicity (e.g., potential for causing allergic reactions) caused by proteins in a range of industrial and consumer products and many of the increasing number of pharmaceuticals that are made from recombinant proteins. U.S. Patent No. 6,835,550 and European Patent No. 1073754 cover uses and applications of this biological-based method that is often cited as a benchmark for other model-based assays. Genencor scientists first developed the IMUNE Assay for engineering its many industrial enzymes used in a variety of applications including cleaning, personal care, textiles and food processing. As biotechnology companies have continued to advance protein-based pharmaceuticals, the use of the IMUNE Assay as well as other techniques for predicting immunogenicity have become key steps in the development process. "The I-MUNE Assay has been acknowledged as a standard not only for determining immunogenicity, but for providing the critical information to re-engineer proteins to make them safer for consumer and health care applications," said Michael Arbige, Ph.D., Genencor's senior vice president, Technology. " In our own development efforts as well as in our work with pharmaceutical companies, we have found the I-MUNE Assay to be a valuable tool in creating new or re-engineered protein products." About Genencor Genencor International, Inc. (http://www.genencor.com/) is a diversified biotechnology company that develops and delivers innovative products and services into the health care, agri-processing, industrial and consumer markets. Using an integrated set of technology platforms, Genencor's products deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life. Genencor traces its history to 1982 and has grown to become a leading biotechnology company, with over $380 million in year 2003 annual revenues. Genencor has principal offices in Palo Alto, California; Rochester, New York; and Leiden, the Netherlands. This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and all other statements which are other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements containing words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "will," "may," "might" and words of a similar nature. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ include dependence on the efforts of third parties, dependence on new and uncertain technology and its uncertain application to new business ventures; regulatory actions or delays, or uncertainties related to product development, testing or manufacturing; ability to form and maintain strategic alliances; ability to complete certain transactions and realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions; dependence on certain intellectual property rights of both Genencor and third parties, the competitive nature of Genencor's industry; risks of obsolescence of certain technology; and the high risk nature of efforts to develop products for the health care market, including the achievement of successful pre-clinical and clinical results. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in Genencor's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this release represent the judgment of Genencor as of the date of this press release. Genencor disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: Genencor International, Inc. CONTACT: media, Valerie Tucker, +1-650-846-7571, or investors, Thomas Rathjen, +1-650-846-5810, both for Genencor International, Inc. Web site: http://www.genencor.com/

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