Origenis Broadens Research Alliance with Alcon to Develop Novel Ophthalmic Compounds

MUNICH, GERMANY, Oct 23 (MARKET WIRE) --

October 23, 2008

Origenis Broadens Research Alliance with Alcon
to Develop Novel Ophthalmic Compounds

Munich, Germany, October 23, 2008 - Origenis GmbH today announced
that it broadened its drug discovery research alliance with Alcon
Research, Ltd. (ARL) to create and develop small molecule drugs for
important ophthalmic targets. ARL is an affiliate of Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:
ACL), the world's largest eye care company. The alliance combines
Origenis' capabilities in compound design, chemical synthesis, and
screening with Alcon's applied biology, pharmacology, and development
expertise in ophthalmology.

Origenis successfully employs its proprietary small molecule discovery
platform MOREsystem(R) to design, synthesize, and characterise novel
molecules acting against different targets. Origenis will deliver IND
candidates with specific properties mainly for ophthalmic applications
for certain Alcon targets. Dr. Michael Thormann, Managing Director at
Origenis said: "This further extension underlines once more the power of
our technology platform in the creation of NCEs, our interdisciplinary
expertise, and commitment of our company in the small molecule drug
sector."

Under the terms of the agreement, Alcon will retain the rights to any
products for ophthalmic and nasal applications and Origenis will retain
certain rights to all other uses of drug candidates discovered during the
alliance. Alcon will make research payments to Origenis through a series
of development milestones and royalties on sales.

"We have been very pleased with our relationship with Origenis, which has
been a reliable partner that has provided us with value-added research in
small molecules that we believe have promise in ophthalmology," said Dr.
John Yanni, Vice President, Discovery Research at Alcon, "We hope that
the expansion of our relationship with Origenis will lead to even more
candidates for development."

-ends-

Notes

Origenis GmbH (www.origenis.com) is a privately owned biotechnology
company headquartered in the Munich Biotech Region. Origenis offers
proven expertise in drug design, chemical synthesis, and biological
characterisation combined with its proprietary Small Molecule Drug
Discovery Technology Platform.Origenis drives a novel Drug Discovery
Process that creates broad and strong IP portfolios, reduces attrition
rate, and finally shortens time to market. This highly integrated
platform - MOREsystem(R) - has delivered novel development candidates for
a variety of targets and medical indications.

Alcon, Inc. (www.alcon.com) is the world's leading eye care company, with
sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2007. Alcon, which has been
dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for more than 60 years, researches,
develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment
and devices, contact lens care solutions and other vision care products
that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye.

For further information please contact:

Dr. Michael Thormann, Managing Director
Tel: +49 (0)89 7801 676 0
michael.thormann@origenis.com

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