French Biotech Company IntegraGen to Open U.S. Subsidiary in Cambridge, Massachusetts

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IntegraGen, Inc., a French biotechnology company dedicated to gene discovery and the development of molecular diagnostic products and services, announced today that it is expanding its operations by opening a U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts that will support the company’s clinical research initiatives focused on the early identification of children at risk of autism. IntegraGen will open the new office on November 1, 2010.

“We have decided to locate IntegraGen’s U.S. subsidiary in Cambridge as a result of Massachusetts’ commitment to attracting and supporting the life sciences, the proximity to world renowned academic institutions, and the highly qualified talent pool in the area,” said Dr. Bernard Courtieu, CEO of IntegraGen, SA. “We believe this will be an ideal location to support our strategic business efforts in the United States and further strengthen the strong ties between biotechnology companies based in France and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

IntegraGen’s corporate headquarters is located in Evry, France where it focuses on gene discovery and providing state of the art genotyping services to the research community through the Company’s Genetic Services Business. The company owns intellectual property in the fields of autism and oncology and has focused efforts on understanding the role of common genetic variants as markers of an increased risk of autism. The Company has recently licensed autism-related intellectual property to Transgenomic, Inc., in the U.S. whose clinical molecular laboratory developed and offers the ARISk Familial Autism Panel (www.arisktest.com), a genetic test designed to assess the risk of autism in children who have older siblings diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

“Our Life Sciences Initiative has proven successful in attracting both national and international life science companies, like IntegraGen, to consider locating and creating jobs in Massachusetts,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “We enthusiastically welcome IntegraGen to Cambridge and to the diverse group of pioneering companies that have helped make the Commonwealth into a global leader in the life sciences industry. Having recently signed legislation expanding insurance coverage for autism testing and treatment, I am excited that this company’s genetic testing technology will help in the earlier identification of children at risk of autism, and that their U.S. operations will be based here in Massachusetts.”

“Massachusetts is a great place to do business for life sciences companies, both international and domestic, and we welcome IntegraGen to the world’s leading life sciences Supercluster,” said Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “We look forward to working in partnership with IntegraGen as they put down roots and grow here in Massachusetts.”

“We are looking forward to opening our office in Cambridge and expanding our presence in the U.S.,” said Larry Yost, IntegraGen’s Vice-President of U.S. Operations. “We appreciate the assistance the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center provided during our decision making process.”

“We are pleased to welcome yet another international company to Massachusetts. IntegraGen’s decision to expand here exemplifies the vibrancy and global diversity of our life sciences cluster—a cluster that is made stronger with each new company that chooses to locate here,” said Ted Carr, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment.

“IntegraGen’s decision to expand here in Massachusetts is yet another great example of our ability to compete and prevail in an increasingly global industry on the strength and breadth of our life science supercluster,” said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio. “We are glad to have IntegraGen as a new partner in the Commonwealth, which continues to be the place to conduct cutting-edge biotechnology research and development.”

About IntegraGen

IntegraGen (www.integragen.com) is a biotechnology company dedicated to gene discovery with the goal of developing molecular diagnostic products and services that provide clinicians with new tools to personalize diagnosis, treatment, and therapy. IntegraGen, and its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary IntegraGen, Inc., are focused on the prevention and proactive management of complex debilitating diseases, and dedicated to addressing the needs of patients, clinicians, and advocacy groups. IntegraGen’s Genetic Services Business, based in Evry, France, also provides state of the art Genotyping Services to the research community. With discovery and intellectual property focused on autism and oncology, IntegraGen’s core strategy is to deliver a portfolio of high-value molecular diagnostic products and services that drive personalized healthcare solutions for complex diseases.

About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a quasi-public agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tasked with implementing the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act, a ten-year, $1 billion initiative that was signed into law in June of 2008. The Center’s mission is to create jobs in the life sciences and support vital scientific research that will improve the human condition. This work includes making financial investments in public and private institutions that are advancing life sciences research, development and commercialization as well as building ties between sectors of the Massachusetts life sciences community. For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com.

About MOITI

The Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment (MOITI) works to expand the Massachusetts economy by marketing the state's business internationally, through focused export promotion, attracting foreign companies to invest in Massachusetts and handling protocol as it relates to trade and investment.

About MassBio

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio), a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation's oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 600 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services. www.MassBio.org.

IntegraGen
Bernard Courtieu, +33 (0)1 60 91 09 00
Chief Executive Officer
Contact@integragen.com
orPatrick Court, +33 (0)1 60 91 09 09
Chief Financial Officer
Contact@integragen.com
or
Investor RelationsNancy Levain, +33 (0)1 44 50 39 30
nancy.levain@ltvalue.com
or
Maryline Jarnoux-Sorin, +33 (0)6 72 28 91 44
maryline.jarnoux-sorin@ltvalue.com
or
Media Relations
Antoinette Darpy, +33 (0)6 72 95 07 92
antoinette.darpy@ltvalue.com
or
Massachusetts Life Sciences CenterAngus G. McQuilken, 617-921-7749
VP for Communications
amcquilken@masslifesciences.com
or
Massachusetts Office of International Trade & InvestmentElizabeth Steele, 617-830-5404
Manager of Business Development for the Americas, Europe, Australia and New Zealand
Elizabeth.steele@state.ma.us
or
MassBioSarah MacDonald, 617-674-5115
Director of Communications

Source: IntegraGen, Inc.