BIOPROTEIN OBTAINS LICENSE FROM GTC BIOTHERAPEUTICS

Deal Strengthens BioProtein Technologies’ Ability to Produce Recombinant Proteins in the Milk of Transgenic Rabbits

Paris, France … BioProtein Technologies, the biotechnology company specialising in the production of therapeutic proteins in the milk of transgenic rabbits, announced today it has entered into an important licensing agreement with GTC Biotherapeutics Inc. (GTC), the US based transgenics production company, which broadens its intellectual property position. The agreement with GTC will enable BioProtein Technologies to expand its ability to develop proteins in milk, supporting its ambition to become a significant player in the area of recombinant protein manufacturing in rabbits.

Under the terms of the agreement, GTC has granted BioProtein Technologies certain rights to its European patent for the production of recombinant proteins in the milk of transgenic rabbits. These rights are primarily in the European Union, Turkey and Switzerland.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Marc Le Bozec, CEO of BioProtein Technologies said: “This is a major strategic achievement for BioProtein Technologies as it reinforces our IP position in the production of recombinant proteins in the milk of transgenic rabbits, which will directly benefit our customers. I am confident that we will be able to build on the good relationship that we have developed with GTC for the future benefit of both parties. “

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About GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc.
www.gtc-bio.com

GTC Biotherapeutics is the leader in the development, production, and commercialization of therapeutic proteins through transgenic animal technology. GTC has more than a dozen programs in development, including its internal proprietary products, one of which is in clinical trials. The Company also has a group of external programs where GTC's technology is used to develop transgenic production of its partner's proprietary products. The Company's technology is well suited to developing both large-volume protein therapeutics as well as products that are difficult to produce in significant quantities from conventional bioreactor systems. GTC has begun a clinical efficacy study in Europe with its lead program, recombinant human antithrombin III (rhATIII), a human blood plasma protein. In addition to the rhATIII program, GTC is developing a recombinant human serum albumin and a malaria vaccine. GTC's external program collaborations are developing transgenic versions of products such as monoclonal antibodies and immunoglobulin fusion proteins for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS and cancer. These external partners include Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Centocor, Elan, Alexion, ImmunoGen, Merrimack, and Progenics.

About BioProtein Technologies
www.bioprotein.com

BioProtein Technologies is the world leader in the production of recombinant proteins in the milk of transgenic rabbits. The Company’s unique contract manufacturing capabilities have been designed to meet the increasing demands of the pharmaceutical and the biotechnology industries for therapeutic protein production. Rabbits offer great advantages in terms of scale-up and time-to-market and can produce up to 10-15 liters of milk per year. From the annual production of 400 rabbits, up to 5-10 kg of protein can be isolated and purified to a very high quality.

BioProtein Technologies has a strong expertise through the entire manufacturing process from genes or cDNA expression to animal production. The Company is using high quality science, for example from INRA, as the foundation for building BioProtein Technologies into a world-leading producer of therapeutic proteins. The Company has produced complex and difficult-to-express proteins, including monoclonal antibodies, plasma proteins, hormones and vaccinating antigens, all of which demonstrates BioProtein Technologies’ ability to fulfill the most rigorous specifications in protein production.

As a corporation, BioProtein Technologies recognizes that it has a specific responsibility towards the animals that it generates and breeds for the production of therapeutic proteins. The Company conducts its animal research and development according to the highest ethical standards.

The Company was founded in 1998 and successfully completed its first €5 million financial round in May 2001.