Friday, 17. September 2004

Clinical Response Prediction: New Service from Bayer Technology Services and Physiomics

Bayer Technology Services and the systems biology company Physiomics plc announced a collaborative agreement to cooperate in the field of clinical response prediction.

Clinical response prediction measures the optimum dosing and efficacy of therapeutic compounds. The new service brings together two unique strengths in systems biology - the Bayer Technology Services’ PK-Sim physiology-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and Physiomics’ SystemCell technology which can determine and predict optimum drug levels. The collaboration reflects the growing demand from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for simulation technology to streamline drug discovery from pre-clinical through Phase III.

Clinical response prediction is designed to smooth out dosing and related toxicity problems early in a drug’s development. Integrating pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic technologies into one predictive system aids portfolio attrition risk assessment, clinical protocol optimization and project troubleshooting. The integrated approach delivers quantitative arguments for prioritization of drug candidates in a pipeline, maximizes clinical trial outcomes and also interprets failures in trials of apparently promising drugs.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer Technology Services and Physiomics have committed themselves, under strict confidentiality, to undertake specific consulting projects according to customer requirements.

“We are delighted to be starting on this major collaborative project with Bayer”, said Physiomics CEO, Dr. John Savin. “We have made a considerable investment in the SystemCell technology and this collaboration is an excellent launchpad for us.”

“The collaboration with Physiomics strengthens our position as a technology leader in the field of predictive biological simulations.” said Dr. Helmut Mothes, Senior Vice President Bayer Technology Services. “Together, we are able to add significant value to the whole R&D value chain of our customers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.”

More details about Physiomics plc
www.physiomics-plc.com

Contacts:

Dr. Joerg Lippert, phone: +49 214 30 54 813, fax: +49 214 30 64 801
eMail: joerg.lippert(at)bayertechnology.com

Dr. John Savin, phone: +44 1865 784 980, fax: +44 8701 671 931
eMail: jsavin(at)physiomics-plc.net

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports file with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.