Press Release

Cellectis S.A. and Murinus GmbH enter into a License agreement for the use of the Homologous Recombination in generating mouse models

Romainville, France and Hamburg, Germany - May the 13^th, 2004 - Cellectis, the rational genome engineering company, and Murinus GmbH announced today they have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement. Cellectis has granted Murinus rights under its patent family relating to the use of homologous recombination for the specific replacement or insertion of a gene in the mouse genome.

Through this agreement, Murinus obtained a license under Cellectis patents for developing and selling, in Europe and Middle-East, genetically modified mice for industry and academia.
Financial terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.

"This is the seventh agreement for Cellectis with a specialist in gene knockout/knock-in technologies in the mouse models," said Isabelle Pelletier-Bressac, VP Business Development of Cellectis. "Confirming the importance of these patents in the field of mouse models, it will allow Murinus to offer a largest choice of services to its customers," she added.

"Genetically manipulated mice represent an invaluable tool for functional gene analysis and target validation in vivo. With this licensing agreement in place we are now able to extend our portfolio to offer the full range of genetic manipulations," said Dr. Michael Moormann, General Manager of Murinus. "We are now in a position to offer mouse gene humanization, an increasingly powerful tool for modelling receptor interactions in vivo", he exemplified.

Cellectis SA (www.cellectis.com) was founded in 1999, as a spin-off from the Institut Pasteur. Cellectis is today the world leader in applying the technology of Meganuclease Recombination Systems to in vivo genome engineering and genome surgery. The company is focused on the research and development of custom-made Meganucleases for in vivo DNA interventions and also provides new tools for rational reverse genetics and targeted recombination. Cellectis develops Meganucleases that can induce unique site-directed double-strand breaks in a living cell, and can be used for biotechnological and therapeutical applications. The company is focusing on bringing "genome surgery" to clinic as a genuine new molecular medicine approach.
As of today, Cellectis has entered into more than 20 deals on Genome Engineering technologies.

Murinus GmbH (www.murinus.com), founded in October 2002 as an official and wholly owned subsidiary of the University Medical Center Eppendorf, is located in the Centre for innovative Medicine (CIM) in Hamburg, Germany. The company provides transgenic services and generates genetically manipulated mouse for industry and academic groups. Murinus possesses a state-of-the-art mouse facility and offers contract mouse breeding and housing services under SPF conditions.

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