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SAFC®, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich® Group, and Novozymes Biopharma DK A/S recently announced a 10-year extension of their joint agreement under which SAFC retains exclusive marketing and distribution rights for Novozymes Biopharma's LONG®R^³IGF-I (LONG®R³) growth factor used for industrial cell culture applications. The highly potent growth factor is manufactured specifically for customers in the cell culture market, to enable them to reduce operational and regulatory complexity and minimize manufacturing risk.

LONG®R³ is expected to enhance the productivity and performance of industrial cell culture processes, replacing insulin in cell culture, specifically binding to type I IGF receptors to stimulate cell growth and support survival in serum-free media.

The growth factor offers customers a range of benefits from ease-of-use and flexibility to reduced complexity of manufacturing processes and superior performance. LONG®R³ provides increased cell density, higher viability and extended culture duration, without compromising on safety or regulatory compliance.

Michael D. James, marketing manager, SAFC, said, "SAFC is thrilled to continue our collaboration with Novozymes Biopharma. This exclusive 10-year agreement is expected to enhance SAFC's market-leading position as a critical raw material supplier into the biologic and vaccine markets. It is exciting to see how the unique attributes of LONG®R³ meet key development and manufacturing challenges as cell culture processes continue to become more sophisticated."

Peter Rosholm, vice president, Novozymes Biopharma, said: "Novozymes Biopharma is very pleased to extend this successful partnership with SAFC. We are committed to supplying quality products for use in cell culture applications that reduce operational and regulatory complexity and minimize manufacturing risk. The outlook for LONG®R³ is extremely positive as it uniquely offers both potency and innovation and we look forward to working closely with SAFC to service customers in this market."

For more information, visit: http://www.safcglobal.com/your_insulin_alternative

About Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow's industrial biosolutions, improving our customers' business and the use of our planet's resources.

With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes' bioinnovations improve industrial performance and safeguard the world's resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow's ever-changing marketplace.

Novozymes' natural solutions enhance and promote everything from removing trans fats in cooking, to advancing biofuels to power the world tomorrow. Our never-ending exploration of nature's potential is evidenced by over 6,000 patents, showing what is possible when nature and technology join forces.

Our 5,000+ employees working in research, production and sales around the world are committed to shaping business today and our world tomorrow.

About SAFC®
SAFC is the custom manufacturing and services group within Sigma-Aldrich that focuses on high-purity inorganics for high technology applications, cell culture products and services for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, biochemical production and the manufacturing of complex, multi-step organic synthesis of APIs and key intermediates. SAFC has manufacturing facilities around the world dedicated to providing manufacturing services for companies requiring a reliable partner to produce their custom manufactured materials. SAFC has four focus areas - SAFC Pharma®, SAFC Supply Solutions®, SAFC Biosciences®, and SAFC Hitech®- and had annual sales of over $600M in 2009. SAFC is one of the world's 10 largest fine chemical businesses. For more information, visit www.safcglobal.com.

About Sigma-Aldrich®
Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific research, including genomic and proteomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development and as key components in pharmaceutical, diagnostic and other high technology manufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 40 countries and has 7,600 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Innovation and Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information, visit http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.

SOURCE: Novozymes Biopharma US Inc.