Biovator attracts new investment partner

Press release
March 6, 2008

Biovator attracts new investment partner

In less than a year, animal allergenicity testing for the production of
cosmetics in the European Union will be banned, leaving only a limited time to
find alternative methods to avoid further exemptions. Biovator, a Sweden-based
biotech company, is developing a solution to part of the problem with its test
tube based technology - the in Vitro CPA test. Government investment agency,
ALMI Företagspartner AB, in conjunction with owners LinkMed, has decided to
provide funding to further develop the procedure, which uses human tissue to
identify substances that cause allergic reactions.

Biovator has come a long way in refining the technology, which could replace
some of the animal testing currently done in the development of medicines,
cosmetics, foods and in the chemical industry. The test will enable the
identification of compounds that cause allergies, known as allergens. Currently,
animal testing is used to trace allergens.

“ALMI's decision to become a partner is a vote of confidence for Biovator and
others involved in the project,” says Biovator CEO Stan Mikulowski. Other
investors include IBL Hamburg, a German immunobiological diagnostics company,
Medicago, a Swedish bio-chemical firm, Linköping University and AstraZeneca.

Development work on the test is proceeding on schedule, and with the help of an
industry partner, Biovator plans to have the method ready for commercial use in
the first six months of 2009.

Under an EU directive designed to harmonize cosmetics laws, it will be illegal
to use animals to determine the risk of allergic reactions in the production of
cosmetics from 2009. At present, however, there is still no alternative to
animal testing for allergens that is recognized by the European Centre for the
Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), an agency that supports the
development of in Vitro methods.

Biovator's test is based on work carried out by Professor Birger Andersson in
the early 1990's at Stockholm's Karolinska Institute. Andersson was one of the
very first in the field and his method for in Vitro testing became known as
Cytokine Profile Assay (CPA). 

“Our test will be more reliable than current methods because tests on animals
can only be used to identify Type 4 allergies - skin conditions. At present,
there is no test for Type 1 allergic reactions - airborne allergies - an area
where there is a proven medical need,” says Mikulowski.

In Vitro testing is also quicker and less expensive than animal testing.

Another development that makes Biovator's tests even more attractive is EU
legislation on scientific research, REACH; (Registration, Evaluation,
Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals); which became effective on June 1,
2007. 

REACH replaces large sections of Swedish law on scientific research. Those
handling chemicals are now required to produce data on the properties of
substances and consider the associated risks of working with such materials. A
new certification process has also been introduced for chemicals which have
potentially harmful effects on public health and the environment. This is where
Biovator's test can make a difference.


About Biovator

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Biovator AB is dedicated to the innovation of in
vitro test methods for the predictive testing of allergic reactions. In addition
to greatly reducing the need for animal testing, these methods are less
expensive, faster, and provide more reliable results for the pharmaceutical,
cosmetic and food-additive industries.

Biovator AB is part of LinkMed, which is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
LinkMed has created a portfolio of 12 life-sciences companies, six of which are
in the fields of pharmaceutical development and biotechnology, and six in the
area of medical technology. 

For more information, please see www.biovator.com.

LinkMed owns 46.0 percent of Biovator. 



For additional information please contact:

Stan Mikulowski, CEO Biovator AB and VP Senior Venture Manager LinkMed
Tel: +46 8 508 939 42

Ingemar Lagerlöf, CEO LinkMed	 
Tel: +46 (08) 508 939 93







LinkMed develops new life-science companies in collaboration with innovators. By
contributing entrepreneurship and capital, LinkMed has created a portfolio of
twelve companies, six in drug development and biotechnology and six in medical
technology. The LinkMed share is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange, Stockholm,
and the company's largest shareholders are FastPartner, Koncentra Holding, and
the founder Ingemar Lagerlöf. See www.linkmed.se for more information.