In Cell Art, a biotechnology company specialising in nanocarrier technologies for macromolecules (including DNA and RNA) and in the development of innovative vaccines and antibodies, has announced today the launch of a US$33.1 million research-and-development project — the RN Armor Vax Consortium . In Cell Art, together with Sanofi Pasteur (the vaccines division of the Sanofi-aventis Group) and CureVac (a German biopharmaceutical firm specialising in mRNA-based vaccinations), has established the consortium which will evaluate new applications of In Cell Art’s technology in the development of mRNA-based vaccines against infectious diseases. Chloé Bellocq, CEO of In Cell Art, comments, “In Cell Art, in its internal projects, as through its collaborative work with the major players in the pharmaceutical sector, is very committed to the development of gene-based vaccines. Our recent results, from the work surrounding treatment and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma by DNA vaccination, demonstrate the potential of gene-based vaccines in both prophylactic and therapeutic applications.” The RN Armor Vax Consortium collaborative-research project was selected from amongst various proposals submitted following a call for projects entitled Controlling Cellular Machinery, Vaccines . The four-year project has a total budget of US$33.1 million and will be co-funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA, an agency of the United States Department of Defense). The project’s objective is to validate a new universal-vaccine-technology platform that develops and evaluates mRNA-based vaccines (for both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against infectious diseases), and which will be the first of its kind. The project will authenticate new applications (such as the elaboration and vectorization of mRNA-based vaccines) of In Cell Art’s nanocarrier technology. It will therefore reinforce the company’s leading position in the nano-transport of macromolecules of DNA and RNA. In parallel with the RN Armor Vax Consortium project, In Cell Art and Sanofi Pasteur signed a non-exclusive option and licence agreement with pre-agreed licence terms. This agreement will enable Sanofi Pasteur to access In Cell Art’s formulation technologies to develop and commercialise mRNA-based vaccines. Under the terms of this agreement, In Cell Art should receive an initial payment, along with milestone payments at certain clinical stages, and royalty payments on the sales of products. In Cell Art will also receive revenue from sales of the clinical and commercial nanocarrier products that will be contained in the final vaccines. Bruno Pitard, co-founder of In Cell Art, explains, “This new agreement demonstrates the importance of our nanocarrier technologies not only for gene-based vaccines that use DNA, but also for mRNA-based vaccines. The project will strengthen the position of In Cell Art as a leading company in the sector and the best choice for the use of nanocarrier technologies to deliver macromolecules DNA and RNA.” About CureVac CureVac is a global leader in mRNA-based vaccination technologies. It develops mRNA-based vaccines as therapeutic vaccines in oncology and prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases. For further information about CureVac, please go to: www.curevac.com About The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) DARPA, established in 1958, seeks to maintain the technological superiority of the US military by funding scientific investigations that span a wide range of activities, from laboratory efforts to the creation of full-scale technology demonstrations in such fields as biology, medicine, computer science, chemistry and physics. For further information about DARPA, please go to: www.darpa.mil About Sanofi Pasteur Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the Sanofi-aventis Group, offers the broadest range of vaccines, giving protection against 20 infectious diseases. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than €1 million in research and development. Sanofi Pasteur is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). For further information about Sanofi Pasteur, please go to: www.sanofipasteur.com About In Cell Art In Cell Art, which is headquartered in Nantes (in western France), was founded in 2005 and is a member of the Atlanpole Biotherapies cluster of biotechnology excellence, also based in the west of France. In Cell Art is a privately held biopharmaceutical company specialising in the preclinical and pharmaceutical development of nanocarriers for macromolecular drugs. With a Nobel Laureate amongst its founders and research team, the company has designed new classes of non-toxic vectors that are organised on a nanometric scale, enabling them to cross the cell barrier efficiently and safely. From these vectors, In Cell Art has developed a range of reagents and biotechnology-development services including ICANtibodies ® and ICAFectin ® transfection reagents, along with a pipeline of nanocarriers for the formulation and delivery of nucleic acid-based drugs. In the absence of recombinant antigens, ICANtibodies ® allows, from an in silico antigenic sequence, the production of the most ambitious functional antibodies against any natively expressed protein (including excreted, nuclear, cytoplasmic or membrane proteins). With ICANtibodies ® , In Cell Art has assisted its clients in the production of more than 150 different functional antibodies, in less than two years. ICAFectin® transfection reagents are innovative synthetic vectors for in vitro nucleic acid delivery. They are becoming the reagents of choice for efficient DNA and siRNA transfections. This is demonstrated by their increasingly common use in studies published in leading journals including the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Nucleic Acids Research, PLoS ONE, PLoS Pathogens, Human Gene Therapy, Journal of Neurochemistry, Experimental Cell Research and Neoplasia. ICA614 nanocarrier, an innovative DNA synthetic formulation, offers unique, efficient and industrial features such as the dramatic enhancement of the immunogenicity of plasmid DNA-encoding tumours or pathogen-derived antigens, a reduction in the dose of plasmid DNA, as well as an excellent safety profile. ICA614 nanocarrier represents a crucial step in DNA-vaccine development, and is currently being tested by major vaccine companies such as Sanofi Pasteur and Merial Ltd. With R&D programmes in oncology, in infectious diseases, and in cardiovascular diseases, In Cell Art has developed specific nanocarriers that allow efficient delivery of siRNA for the interference with the expression of targeted disease-associated genes. IN CELL ART works in partnership with, and grants research licences to, companies active in the development of RNAi therapeutic products. For further information about In Cell Art, please go to: www.incellart.com ? Distribution Statement ‘A’ (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited).     For further information, please contact : Quote ref. : FTPB3651 Ms Katherine WOODS - Press Officer UBIFRANCE Press Office in London Tel: +44 (0) 207 024 3640 katherine.woods@ubifrance.fr   View other press releases at : http://www.ubifrance.com/uk/  

Reed Expositions France will host Franchise Expo Paris 2012 from 18 to 21 March of next year, at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in the French capital. The UK will be the event’s guest of honour, with a large British Pavilion. The trade show will welcome 450 exhibitors from 75 business sectors representing 20 countries, as well as a range of franchise-industry experts. In 2012, the Franchise Expo Paris trade show will further strengthen its international reputation, with an expected 2,500 visitors from 83 countries, and international brands representing 17% of the total number of exhibitors. The United Kingdom will be the guest of honour at Franchise Expo Paris 2012, with a large British pavilion at the entrance, supported by the British Franchise Association. A delegation of British visitors will attend the trade show to receive training in franchising and master franchising. There will also be a significant presence from Brazil, Canada, Italy and Spain, as well as representatives from Denmark, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United States. Every year, Franchise Expo Paris showcases over 110 new and innovative concepts and areas of activity, ranging from the most traditional sectors to the most unexpected, including organic products, fashion and theme-based catering. Following a highly successful event in 2011, which was attended by 32,000 visitors, Franchise Expo Paris will again assert its position as the foremost annual international meeting in franchise-branch creation, in March 2012. Not only are potential franchise candidates growing in numbers, but franchise concepts themselves are evolving and developing through the emergence of new trends. Franchise Expo Paris 2012 will focus on innovation in the fast-food industry, and what part it can play in modifying fast-food menus. This sector is forced to constantly seek new areas of growth in order to attract new customers and to incite loyalty from existing customers. Ever-faster service; the growing importance of organic products; the setting-up of ordering booths that allow for table service; and concepts that integrate mobility into the customer service — all these are examples of concepts being explored and innovations being implemented in the sector. There are over a dozen franchise concepts being launched every year on the French market alone. As a result, new franchise players are present in most of the niche markets, including smoothies, fruit juices and fast food using traditional recipes, to name but a few. Franchise Expo Paris 2012 will act as a meeting place for all those involved in the franchise sector. The trade show will provide mentoring throughout the four days, offering individual solutions to entrepreneurs in its coaching area, as well as a programme of conferences on key issues in company and franchise creation. There will also be a School of Franchise giving free daily courses, along with tailor-made tours of the trade show. Additionally, a Business Creators Village will advise all those wishing to start their own business. Franchise Expo Paris 2012 will offer a series of business meetings, intended for investors and entrepreneurs wishing to develop their knowledge via both franchising and master franchising. About Reed Expositions France Reed Expositions France organises 60 trade shows in 19 different sectors throughout France. The company is organising Franchise Expo Paris 2012, which will take place from the 18 to 21 March 2012, at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre, in Paris (France). Franchise Expo Paris is the foremost meeting venue for the franchise industry in Europe, putting business creators and merchants in touch with over 450 brands from all over the globe. For the past 30 years, the trade show has been aiding the expansion of networks internationally, and helping thousands of entrepreneurs to achieve their business-creation goals. In order to help entrepreneurs succeed in their projects, Franchise Expo Paris gathers an array of key professionals that are able to support, advise as well as inform the entrepreneurs, and help them secure the funding they need. France Expo Paris offers access to the franchise sector’s well-known brands, as well as concepts that are growing in new markets. It is thanks to this that entrepreneurs are in a position to compare all aspects involved in the world of franchise, enter the brand-playing field, and join the networks that best suit their goals. For further information about the trade show, please go to: www.franchiseparis.com