DGAP-News: 4SC AG successfully completes transaction of Nycomed oncology projects

4SC AG / Strategic Company Decision

31.07.2008 

Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Planegg-Martinsried, 31 July 2008 – Martinsried-based drug discovery and
development company 4SC AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: VSC) today announced
the finalisation of the acquisition of eight projects from the oncology
division of pharmaceuticals firm Nycomed. With the receipt of the payment
of 14 million EURO in cash Nycomed transferred full ownership of the eight
projects to 4SC, while Nycomed retains rights to research, develop and
commercialise outside the scope of the patents sold.

With this transaction 4SC AG strengthens its development pipeline by adding
small molecules, which have promising market potentials for a number of
oncological indications.
4SC AG took this transaction as an occasion to redesignate its existing and
newly acquired developmental substances in a move designed to enhance
transparency. Substance SC12267 (for the treatment of autoimmune diseases
including rheumatoid arthritis) is thus now designated 4SC-101; SC71492
(for autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory
bowel disease) is now 4SC-102; SC68896 (oncology) is now 4SC-206; SC71710
(oncology, e.g. acute myeloid leukaemia) is now 4SC-203; and SC75741 (for
the treatment of viral infections) is now designated 4SC-301.

4SC-201, a drug candidate from the Nycomed pipeline, is an
orally-administered inhibitor of enzymes with histone-deacetylase (HDAC)
activity in clinical phase I development. This substance has already shown
clear anti-cancer activity on solid and haematological tumours in numerous
animal trials. 4SC-201 differs from other HDAC inhibitors in its superior
oral bioavailability and is thus regarded to display a larger therapeutic
window. The substance is currently being tested in clinical phase I trials
to assess its safety and tolerability profile in cancer patients. Initial
results of the study are expected to be released in the fourth quarter of
this year.
Another oral HDAC inhibitor (4SC-202) is currently completing all
preclinical development steps required to file for approval to conduct
clinical studies on cancer patients. 4SC-202, in contrast to 4SC-201, is a
selective inhibitor of class I HDAC enzymes and comprises a specific cell
division inhibiting effect (anti-mitotic). These specific properties of
4SC-202 afford clinical development for the treatment of cancers,
particularly manifestations with rapidly proliferating tumour cells.

The substance 4SC-205, an oral EG5 kinesin inhibitor, is likewise currently
in final preclinical studies. The anti-mitotic mechanism of 4SC-205 is
already clinically validated via vinca alkaloids and taxanes, and combined
with its oral availability, offers major potential for broad usage in the
treatment of solid and haematological tumours.

In addition to two other HDAC inhibitor projects, the portfolio acquired
includes three more innovative research projects. 'The new PLK1, TLR7 and
Cell Cycle Blocker projects, which have been already successfully tested in
animal models, are a terrific complement to our research portfolio,' said
Dr. Daniel Vitt, CSO of 4SC AG, 'We are now able to select next-generation
drug candidates from an even richer project pool, affording optimal
potential for our developmental pipeline in terms of sustained appreciation
in value.'

The new development projects, including the three oncological candidates
presented above, are already being integrated into the existing 4SC
development pipeline. The capital raised in the share offering of 14 July
2008 has ensured the company’s ability to pursue further development of
already existing and new projects without delay.

'Having strengthened our innovative development pipeline in the field of
oncological and autoimmune indications, we are now in an excellent position
to substantially increase our enterprise value through successful clinical
development and licensing partnerships,' commented Dr. Ulrich Dauer, CEO of
4SC AG.

Dr. Bernd Hentsch, CDO of 4SC AG, added: 'Because of our experienced
development personnel and our distinguished clinical network, we firmly
believe that everything is in place to allow us to rapidly move both our
existing and newly acquired projects into the next value adding clinical
phases.'


About 4SC:
4SC AG (ISIN DE0005753818) has been listed in the Prime Standard of
Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 15 December 2005. Founded in 1997 and now
with a staff of 74, the company develops novel drug candidates against
inflammatory diseases and cancer. 4SC AG utilises its technology platform,
which is protected by patent, to create a sustainable project pipeline of
drug candidates, which are to be developed up to proof of clinical efficacy
in early clinical phases ('proof of concept') and subsequently partnered
with the pharmaceutical industry in return for advance and milestone
payments as well as royalties. There are currently eight projects in the
development pipeline and a rich pool of further discovery projects. The
first project for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has already
successfully completed clinical phase IIa. An additional project for the
treatment of various cancers is currently completing a clinical phase I
trial. Further projects are in advanced pre-clinical stages. Further
information is to be found at www.4sc.com

Legal Note:
This document may contain projections or estimates relating to plans and
objectives relating to our future operations, products, or services; future
financial results; or assumptions underlying or relating to any such
statements; each of which constitutes a forward-looking statement subject
to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual
results could differ materially, depending on a number of factors.





For further information please contact:
Bettina von Klitzing 
Investor Relations and Public Relations Manager 
4SC AG 
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 70 07 63 - 0 
Bettina.von.klitzing@4sc.com 




DGAP 31.07.2008 
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Language:     English
Issuer:       4SC AG
              Am Klopferspitz 19a
              82152 Martinsried
              Deutschland
Phone:        +49 (0)89 7007 63-0
Fax:          +49 (0)89 7007 63-29
E-mail:       public@4sc.com
Internet:     www.4sc.de
ISIN:         DE0005753818
WKN:          575381
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
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