Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) To Join CPGR As A Member In Its Effort To Develop A Leading Biotech Hub In South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa, 06 May 2009 – CPGR (Cape Town, South Africa) today announced that FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics) (Geneva, Switzerland) has joined the organization as a member. The concept of common ownership of the CPGR is unique since, unlike shareholders in a for-profit company, as a non-for-profit organization (incorporated in South Africa under Section 21) the CPGR is “owned” by its Membership. A key objective of Membership is therefore to create strategic relationships with stakeholders in the biotech sector, in particular those who have a common interest in supporting the long-term vision of the CPGR. The CPGR’s immediate focus in the field of biomedicine lies on enabling translational research related to key African diseases such as TB, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, amongst others.

“We view ourselves in an ideal position to serve as a platform for FIND when it comes to identifying novel disease biomarkers, validating new diagnostic applications or supporting clinical studies” said Dr Reinhard Hiller, Managing Director of the CPGR. “The opportunity to carry out high-quality, state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic research and development in Africa is very attractive since this can possibly reduce time-to-market for urgently needed diagnostic applications and could therefore create a direct benefit for the communities in Africa.”

Dr Giorgio Roscigno, CEO of FIND said, “We are very pleased to begin this new collaboration with CPGR especially at this time when FIND is working to identify new TB biomarkers and accelerate the development and availability of better point of care tests, which are urgently needed in high burden countries. We are confident that CPGR will critically contribute to the fulfillment of our mission.”

About FIND

FIND, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is a not-for-profit Swiss foundation whose mission is to drive the development and implementation of accurate and affordable diagnostic tests that can be used as near as possible to where patients first seek care. FIND’s disease portfolio currently includes tuberculosis, malaria and human African trypanosomiasis and current donors are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Union, the Government of the Netherlands, UNITAID, Irish Aid and other institutions and private donors. FIND is ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485:2003 certified. For more information: http://www.finddiagnostics.org/

About CPGR

The Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) was created in 2006 as part of a government initiative to provide scientists in South Africa with state-of-the-art analytical services, technical expertise, project support and collaborative research capabilities in the genomics and proteomics arena. The organization has a particular interest in translational research and advancing scientific findings from the bench to the clinic, including a focus on tackling pressing health needs in Africa. The integrated core technology facility was founded as a not-for-profit organization through a grant provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) by way of its investment vehicles the Cape Biotech Trust (CBT) and PlantBio (PB). Visit www.cpgr.org.za for more information or contact info@cpgr.org.za with specific requests.