4SC AG / Key word(s): Disposal/Contract
29.04.2016 13:27
Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted
by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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4SC sells operations of its Discovery division
Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, 29 April 2016 - 4SC AG (4SC, FSE Prime
Standard: VSC) today announced the sale of the operations of its subsidiary
4SC Discovery GmbH (4SC Discovery) to newly incorporated BioNTech Small
Molecules GmbH (BioNTech Small Molecules). The sale comprises all key
operating assets.
BioNTech Small Molecules is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mainz,
Germany-based BioNTech AG (BioNTech). The purchase price for the assets to
be transferred with immediate effect amounts to EUR 650 thousand. In
addition and without financial compensation, 4SC will be granted the right
to temporarily utilize research services provided by BioNTech Small
Molecules worth a person year. As of 1 May 2016, all 22 employees of 4SC
Discovery in the framework of a transfer of operations will be taken over
and will continue to work at the existing facility in Planegg-Martinsried.
The assets to be transferred include the 4SCan(R) software developed
in-house for compound discovery and optimization, 4SC Discovery's tangible
fixed assets and its substance libraries. Other intangible assets are not
affected by this transaction.
4SC Discovery will retain its preclinical research projects. 4SC will
continue using the epigenetic schemes and the underlying intellectual
property for itself, and in addition plans to out-license other projects.
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Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this News:
Enno Spillner, CEO of 4SC, said: 'It is our goal to establish a leading
company in the clinical development of epigenetic anti-cancer drugs. This
is why we are not able to sustainably provide our Discovery division with
the necessary resources required for rapid growth. With the transaction in
effect, it will be possible for us to enhance 4SC cost-efficiently and
focused on its key value drivers. We are very pleased that our long-term
business partner BioNTech can ideally supplement its existing immunotherapy
business and will keep the existing 4SC Discovery facility in Martinsried.'
Dr Sierk Poetting, CFO of BioNTech, added: 'And we are very glad to expand
our team with the experienced and competent scientists of 4SC Discovery.
The successful research activities will now continue under the newly
founded BioNTech Small Molecules, constituting a real asset for the entire
BioNTech Group. The innovative technology now enables us to develop
next-generation immunotherapies against cancer also on the basis of
medicinal chemistry. Further, we will use our new research and development
unit to expand and optimize our existing platforms.'
About 4SC
4SC (www.4cs.com) is a biotechnology company dedicated to the research and
development of small-molecule drugs focused on epigenetic mechanisms of
action for the treatment of cancers with high unmet medical needs. These
drugs are intended to provide innovative treatment options that are more
tolerable and efficacious than existing therapies, provide a better quality
of life and offer increased life expectancy. The Company's pipeline
comprises promising products that are in various stages of clinical
development. 4SC's aim is to generate future growth and enhance its
enterprise value by entering into partnerships with pharmaceutical and
biotech companies. Founded in 1997, 4SC had 67 employees at 31 December
2015. 4SC has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange since December 2005.
About BioNTech
BioNTech (www.biontech.de) is an immunotherapy leader with bench-to-market
capabilities, developing truly personalized, well-tolerated and potent
treatments for cancer and other diseases. Established by clinicians and
scientists, the Group is pioneering disruptive technologies ranging from
individualized mRNA based medicines through innovative chimeric antigen
receptors / T-cell receptor-based products and novel antibody checkpoint
immunomodulators. BioNTech's clinical programs are supported by an in-house
molecular diagnostics unit. Founded in 2008, BioNTech is privately held,
with the Strüngmann Family Office acting as the majority shareholder.
Forward-looking information
This ad hoc release contains certain forward-looking statements. Any
forward-looking statement applies only on the date of this ad hoc release.
By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may or may not occur in the
future and as a result of which the actual results and performance may
differ substantially from the expected future results or performance
expressed or implied in the forward looking statements. No warranties or
representations are made as to the accuracy, achievement or reasonableness
of such statements, estimates or projections, and 4SC AG has no obligation
to update any such information or to correct any inaccuracies herein or
omission herefrom which may become apparent.
More information about 4SC
4SC AG
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Wolfgang Güssgen, wolfgang.guessgen@4sc.com, +49 89 700763-73
Dr. Anna Niedl, anna.niedl@4sc.com, +49 89 700763-66
MC Services
Katja Arnold, katja.arnold@mc-services.eu, +49 89 210228-40
The Trout Group
Chad Rubin, crubin@troutgroup.com, +1 646 378 2947
More information about BioNTech
BioNTech AG
Communications & Media Relations
Regina Jehle, regina.jehle@biontech.de, +49 6131 9084-1273
Hume Brophy
Mary Clark, Eva Haas, Hollie Vile, biontech@humebrophy.com, +44 20 3440
5813
29.04.2016 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
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Language: English
Company: 4SC AG
Am Klopferspitz 19a
82152 Planegg-Martinsried
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)89 7007 63-0
Fax: +49 (0)89 7007 63-29
E-mail: public@4sc.com
Internet: www.4sc.com
ISIN: DE000A14KL72
WKN: A14KL7
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated
Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart,
Tradegate Exchange
End of Announcement DGAP News-Service
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DGAP-Adhoc: 4SC AG: 4SC sells operations of its Discovery division
| Source: EQS Group AG