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Leiden, The Netherlands, December 19, 2005 - Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL) notes the announcement made by Berna Biotech AG yesterday of the request for due diligence information received from a third party, of which Berna had duly informed Crucell. Crucell would like to remind shareholders that Crucell's offer is the only offer that has been made, it is recommended by the board of Berna, and confirms that Crucell remains committed to the proposed transaction.
The combination of Berna and Crucell would create the leading independent vaccine company, offering:
- World-leading technology complemented by existing marketed products;
- A share in the potential upside for existing Berna shareholders;
- High likelihood of a successful integration, which is already being constructively planned;
- A management structure combining the best of both companies; and
- Preservation of 100 years of Swiss vaccine experience and Berna's identity.
A further announcement will be made when appropriate.
About Crucell
Crucell N.V. is a biotechnology company focused on developing vaccines and antibodies that prevent and treat infectious diseases, including Ebola, influenza, malaria, West Nile virus and rabies. The company's development programs include collaborations with: sanofi pasteur for influenza vaccines; the U.S. National Institutes of Health for Ebola and malaria vaccines; and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and New York University for a malaria vaccine. Crucell's products are based on its PER.C6® production technology. The company also licenses its PER.C6® technology to the biopharmaceutical industry. Licensees and partners include DSM Biologics, GSK, Centocor/J&J and Merck & Co., Inc. Crucell is headquartered in Leiden, The Netherlands, and is listed on the Euronext and NASDAQ stock exchanges (ticker symbol CRXL). For more information, please visit www.crucell.com.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We have identified certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. For information relating to these factors please refer to our Form 20-F, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2005, and the section entitled "Risk Factors". The company prepares its financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP).
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