In total, 98 healthy volunteers have participated in the study

STOCKHOLM, Sweden | December 19, 2007 | Biovitrum's 5-HT6 receptor antagonist (BVT.74316), intended for the treatment of obesity, controls food intake by stimulating the sense of satiety in the brain.

A clinical phase I trial of BVT.74316 has now been successfully completed. This first clinical study, with the objective to test safety and tolerability in escalating single-dose and repeated-dose administration was started in August 2006. In total, 98 healthy volunteers have participated in the study. A safe and tolerable dose has been identified.

- This project does not fall within the new business focus of Biovitrum since part of our strategy is to out-license primary care indication projects. It is therefore natural that we do not continue to drive the development of this program further, says Biovitrum's CEO Martin Nicklasson. Instead we work on re-focusing our research and other activities to the development of specialist care drugs, directed towards small patient groups with large unmet medical needs. In this area we already have a strong portfolio with four projects in clinical phase I and II and products that we sell in the Nordic countries.
Now, having reached this milestone the project will be offered for out-licensing, Martin Nicklasson concludes.

About Biovitrum

Biovitrum is one of the largest biopharma companies in Europe. With operations in Sweden and in the UK Biovitrum conducts research and develops pharmaceuticals for unmet medical needs both for conditions that affect smaller patient populations and for common diseases. Biovitrum has currently a broad and balanced R&D portfolio with several projects in clinical and preclinical phases within for instance blood diseases. Biovitrum develops and produces protein-based drugs on a contractual basis and markets a range of specialist pharmaceuticals primarily in the Nordic countries. Biovitrum has revenues of approximately SEK 1.2 billion and around 500 employees. Biovitrum's share is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm since September 15, 2006. For more information see www.biovitrum.com.

SOURCE: BIOVITRUM

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