The decision to concentrate R&D in Leiden has been made to increase efficiency in R&D spending and will result in a reduction in the number of staff employed. Due to the suspension in July 2006 of Aerugen®, the vaccine candidate for the prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis patients, there are fewer projects requiring development support at Bern. This restructuring will result in the reduction of approximately 60 positions, mainly in Bern.
About Crucell
Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX) is a biotechnology company focused on research, development and worldwide marketing of vaccines and antibodies that prevent and treat infectious diseases. Its vaccines are sold in public and private markets worldwide. Crucell's core portfolio includes a vaccine against hepatitis B, a fully liquid vaccine against five important childhood diseases, and a virosome-adjuvanted vaccine against influenza. Crucell also markets travel vaccines, such as the only oral anti-typhoid vaccine and the only aluminum-free hepatitis A vaccine on the market. The Company has a broad development pipeline, with several Crucell products based on its unique PER.C6® production technology. The Company licenses this and other technologies to the biopharmaceutical industry. Important partners and licensees include DSM Biologics, sanofi aventis, GSK and Merck & Co. Crucell is headquartered in Leiden (the Netherlands), with subsidiaries in Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Korea and the US. The Company employs about 900 people. 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 July 6, 2006, and the section entitled "Risk Factors". The Company prepares its financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP) and Europe (IFRS).
For further information please contact:
|
Crucell N.V.
Paul Vermeij
Director Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Mob. +31 (0)6 5536 4830
Tel. +31 (0)71 524 8718
|
|