Eurofins-Cerep

Business and Financial Review • Jan 7, 2009

Cerep signs a license agreement with Théa for the development of its LFA-1 antagonist in ophthalmology

Paris (France), January 7, 2009 - press release 2009/1

Cerep [Euronext: Cerep] today announced the signature of a license agreement with Théa for the LFA-1 receptor antagonist discovered by Cerep as part of its collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb. Clinical development of this compound for the treatment of systemic immuno-inflammatory diseases had previously been stopped as hepatotoxic effects were observed after oral administration.

In 2008, Cerep and Théa identified a potential novel application for the LFA-1 receptor antagonists in ophthalmology. In these new indications, the compound should be administered topically, thus strongly reducing the risk of hepatotoxic effects.

The terms of the contract provide that the signature of this license agreement triggers a first payment to Cerep; milestones payments are also associated to the success of the program as well as royalties on sales once the drug will reach the market. The first milestone is the completion of a successful proof of concept to be started shortly.

"Théa, the first European independent pharmaceutical group dedicated to ophthalmology, has always focused on bringing innovative therapeutic solutions. This very promising project may open the door to a novel therapeutic class with multiple possibilities for ophthalmologic diseases." commented Jean-Frédéric Chibret, President of Théa Laboratories.

"We are particularly happy of this agreement with Théa, a recognized specialist in ophthalmologic diseases. We are confident that this project has a real potential of success, first because the compound has already showed efficacy in Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of an immuno-inflammatory affection but also because the new targeted therapeutic domain associated with an anticipated reduced dosage should avoid the hepatotoxic effects, resulting from an oral administration, which led to the abandonment of the original program. Théa has a huge experience in ophthalmology and the size which makes it the ideal partner for the development of this compound" commented Thierry Jean, President & CEO of Cerep.

Contact

Thierry Jean, Chairman & CEO Sophie Macault, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary Tel. +33 (0)1 45 64 44 60 fincom@cerep.fr

Cerep's technologies benefit to more than 460 pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies worldwide including most of the top pharmaceutical firms.

Over the past years, Cerep also developed a pipeline of drug candidates which includes collaborative products developed with Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb, as well as proprietary compounds (including one compound in phase I/II clinical trial in the field of cancer). These programs and associated compounds are either partnered or being licensed-out.

Statements included in this press release which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the company's future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forwardlooking statements. Factors that may affect future operations and business prospects include, but are not limited to, clinical and scientific results and developments concerning corporate collaborations and the company's proprietary rights and other factors described in the company's Document de référence.

Code ISIN FR0004042232 Euronext Paris Euronext - Local Securities

Cerep SA 155 boulevard Haussmann 75008 Paris France tel + 33(0)145 64 44 60 fax +33(0)145 64 44 64 e-mail: fincom@cerep.fr www.cerep.com

Cerep's mission is to provide pharmaceutical companies with high quality services in drug discovery and drug development. Cerep provides solutions allowing faster and cost effective drug discovery by identifying at early stages the most promising drug candidates as well as eliminating those compounds likely to fail in development. Cerep has developed a unique know-how based on technologies of in vitro screening and profiling using its proprietary database BioPrint®, which allows the modelling of clinical effects of drug candidates from their molecular properties.