Leiden, The Netherlands, August 23, 2001 - Crucell N.V. (NASDAQ: CRXL; Euronext Amsterdam: CRXL) today announced the issuance of a United States Patent regarding its MAbstractTM technology. The patent entitled "Phage Antibodies" was issued as US patent 6,265,150. The patent relates to a subtractive procedure to rapidly obtain human antibodies against known and novel surface antigens in their native configuration, expressed on phenotypically defined subpopulations of cells. Importantly, this approach does not depend on immunization procedures or the necessity to repeatedly construct phage antibody libraries.

One of the inventors of the patent is Dr Ton Logtenberg, Chief Scientific Officer of Crucell, as well as a member of the faculty at the University Medical Center, Utrecht.

"MAbstract(tm) enables the identification of targets which are typically overlooked by traditional genomics and proteomics approaches," said Ton Logtenberg, CSO of Crucell. "MAbstract(tm) has the unique ability to both identify and validate targets as well as to generate fully human antibodies. MAbstract(tm) is based on phage antibody-display libraries, subtraction and selection technology and antibody engineering technologies."

"The recent agreement with Centocor, Inc., for the development and commercialization of CD46-specific human antibodies for the treatment of cancer is a commercial example of the value of this technology," said Dinko Valerio, CEO of Crucell. "MAbstract(tm's unique capabilities and integrated approach in target discovery, validation and antibody generation will allow Crucell to rapidly and cost-effectively expand its product pipeline."


About Crucell

Crucell, a leading biotechnology company, discovers and develops biopharmaceutical products that utilize the immune system to combat disease. Crucell's human technology platforms, MAbstract(tm) and PER.C6TM, are applicable for discovery and development of antibody and vaccine products.

Crucell's MAbstract(tm) discovery and development programs are focused on human antibody-based therapeutics for treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Crucell's vaccine programs are focused on the prevention and treatment of influenza and other infectious diseases. Crucell enters into licensing or co-development agreements for its in-house products, or starts new target discovery and product development programs with partners.

Currently, Crucell has five fully human antibodies in various stages of pre-clinical development for the treatment of colon cancer, breast cancer, anti-angiogenesis, leukemia and inflammation. Additional programs have been launched in oncology, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Crucell's PER.C6(TM) fully human production cell line technologies are made available under license agreements for antibodies, proteins, vaccines and vector technology applications. Crucell has currently signed 18 PER.C6(TM) agreements with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Crucell has a listing on NASDAQ and Euronext, and has raised EUR 144 million in its October 2000 IPO. Crucell currently employs approximately 130 people in its facilities in Leiden and Utrecht.

Crucell patent