Agennix Signs Partnership With Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to Develop Novel Therapeutic for Dry Eye Disease; $5.9

HOUSTON (Feb. 24) BW HEALTHWIRE -Feb. 24, 1999--Agennix Inc. announced today that it has entered into a $5.94 million strategic partnership with Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of Osaka, Japan for the development of Agennix's therapeutic agent, recombinant human lactoferrin, in the treatment of dry eye disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, Agennix will provide its recombinant human lactoferrin to Santen and will receive up to $5.94 million plus royalties on net sales. In return, Santen will receive exclusive rights to market the product on a worldwide basis. The recombinant human lactoferrin ophthalmic is being developed for the treatment of dry eye disease, a common cause of eye irritation and impaired vision, affecting approximately 22 million people worldwide.

"We are particularly proud to be in partnership with Santen, one of the most respected ophthalmic companies in the world," said Dr. Denis R. Headon, president and chief executive officer of Agennix. "We are looking forward to future partnerships for the development of recombinant human lactoferrin, an anti-inflammatory and immunodulatory protein, for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases."

Agennix has an extensive patent portfolio covering the DNA sequences, production, and uses of human lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is a natural antimicrobial protein. Agennix is currently in advanced clinical trials for gastrointestinal and dermatological applications of human lactoferrin.

"Recombinant Human Lactoferrin ophthalmic provides an excellent near term opportunity to augment our product line of prescription eye medications," said Takakazu Morita, president and chief executive officer of Santen. "This product, which helps restore the environment of ocular surface tissues to normal, represents a unique opportunity for treating dry eye disease, a difficult and persistent disorder which is increasing in frequency as the population ages."

Current therapy only supplies or preserves water on the surface of the eye. This new product is expected to excel as a means to satisfy the therapeutic needs of patients suffering from dry eye disease and corneal epithelial disorders.

Founded in Osaka in 1890, Santen is a pharmaceutical enterprise specializing in the two fields of eye and rheumatic diseases, offering pharmaceuticals such as prescription and OTC ophthalmics and prescription anti-rheumatic medications. The company boasts the top share of the Japanese ophthalmic pharmaceutical market and the third largest share in the world. Santen has over 2,000 employees in its worldwide centers of research, manufacturing, distribution, and sales throughout the world. Santen has several technology partnerships in the U.S.

Agennix Inc. is a Houston based biotechnology company engaged in the research and development of natural anti-inflammatory/ anti-infective agents. The company's core underlying technology is built on human lactoferrin, an anti-inflammatory and immunodulatory protein with applications in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases.

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CONTACT: Agennix Inc.

          Denis R. Headon, 713/796-1091 

agennix@agennix.com

          or 

Mentus Inc.

          Linda Seaton, 619/455-5500, ext. 133 

lcs@mentusonline.com

          or 

Navjot Rai, 619/455-5500, ext. 106

          nrai@mentusonline.com 

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