ALK-Abelló opens Allergy Research Centre in China

In close collaboration with China's most renowned immunologist, Professor Nanzhan Zhong, ALK-Abelló A/S is opening its first allergy research centre in China. The laboratory is based at the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, GIRD, headed by Professor Zhong, who is seen as the man behind the successful fight against the SARS and bird flu epidemics of recent years.

The GIRD is making laboratory facilities available, while ALK-Abelló is responsible for training, apparatus and the auxiliaries used at the new research centre. Earlier this year, Chinese researchers were trained at ALK-Abelló, an activity that is likely to be continued in the coming years. Employees from ALK-Abelló have also been to China to set up the actual laboratories. The centre is expected to expand considerably in the coming years in terms of both resources and workload, and it already has an eye upon larger premises in a new building under construction on GIRD's site.

The research center's activities are currently limited to basic research, but it is quite likely that it will also become a development centre focusing on specific Chinese needs and the launch of new products as insight is gained into special Chinese forms of allergy. The new research centre will be looking specifically at the causes of allergic symptoms, which are characteristic of China. The most widespread allergy in this huge country is house dust mite allergy, but allergies to plant and animal allergens such as grass and cats are also known here.

ALK-Abelló A/S is a fast-growing company working with the very latest technology in research, development and production. It is the market leader in allergy vaccination in Europe and also commands a strong position in the USA and China. In recent years it has pursued a product development strategy, which aims to expand the market for allergy vaccination by supplementing traditional injection- and drop-based vaccines with tablet-based alternatives. ALK-Abelló's pipeline includes tablet-based vaccines against both grass pollen and house dust mite allergy. The company has more than 1,200 employees worldwide and has its headquarters in Medicon Valley, Denmark.

For further information please contact:

Michael Spangfort

Director of Research

Tel: +45 4574 7445

Email: MSp@dk.alk-abello.com

Or visit: www.alk-abello.com