VIVALIS AND MERIAL ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OF A NEW RESEARCH LICENSE FOR 10 VACCINES

NANTES, FRANCE and DULUTH, GA, Jun 16 (MARKET WIRE) --

VIVALIS AND MERIAL EXTEND THEIR COLLABORATION BY SIGNING A NEW EB66(R)
CELL LINE RESEARCH LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR 10 NEW VACCINES PRODUCTION.

Nantes (France) & Duluth, GA (USA) - June 16th , 2009- VIVALIS (NYSE
Euronext: VLS) and MERIAL (a joint venture between sanofi aventis and
Merck), today announced the signing of a new research license to use the
EB66(R) cell line, a VIVALIS proprietary technology, for the production of
veterinary vaccines. Through this collaboration, MERIAL intends to test
the EB66(R) cell line for the production of 10 different pathogens.

"VIVALIS is pleased to enter in this new agreement with MERIAL, a
worldwide leader in animal health vaccines. This agreement highlights the
broad potential of our EB66(R) cell line as a standard platform for the
production of vaccines. This new agreement is a new evidence of MERIAL
confidence and investment in VIVALIS technology. " said Franck Grimaud,
VIVALIS CEO.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About the EB66(R) cell line.

EB66(R) cell line, derived from duck embryonic stem cells, presents unique
industrial and regulatory characteristics such as long-term genetic
stability, immortality and cell growth to high cell densities in
suspension in a serum-free medium.

The BMF (Biologics Master File) for the registration of the EB66(R) cell
line with the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) was filed June 27,
2008.

EB66(R) cell line is currently used or tested by 75% of the major players
in vaccines. With 26 licenses already signed, the EB66(R) cell line is
becoming a new standard cell substrate for biologics production.

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About Vivalis (www.vivalis.com)

VIVALIS (NYSE- Euronext: VLS) is a biopharmaceutical company that provides
innovative cell-based solutions to the pharmaceutical industry for the
manufacture of vaccines and proteins, and develops drugs for the
prevention and treatment of viral diseases. VIVALIS' expertise and
intellectual property are exploited in three main areas:

1. The development and manufacturing of vaccines. VIVALIS offers research
and commercial licenses for its EB66(R) cell line, derived from duck stem
cells, to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for the production of
vaccines. Vivalis receives up front, milestones, and royalties on its
licensees' net sales.

2. The development of production systems for recombinant proteins and
monoclonal antibodies. VIVALIS licenses its EB66(R) cell line for the
production of recombinant proteins to biotechnology and pharmaceutical
companies. Vivalis receives up front, milestones, and royalties on its
licensees' net sales.

3. The construction of a portfolio of proprietary products in the area of
vaccines and anti-viral molecules (hepatitis C).

Based in Nantes (France), VIVALIS was founded in 1999 by the Grimaud group
(1,450 employees), the second largest group worldwide in animal genetic
selection. VIVALIS has established more than 30 partnerships and licenses
with world leaders in this sector, including Sanofi Pasteur,
GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Vaccines, Merck, CSL Kaketsuken, Merial,
Intervet, SAFC Biosciences. VIVALIS is a member of the French ATLANTIC
BIOTHERAPIES bio-cluster.

Learn more about Vivalis at www.vivalis.com

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About Merial (www.merial.com)

Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company,
providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-
being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs more than
5700 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2008
sales were over $2.6 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between
Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis. For more information, please see
www.merial.com.

This information is provided by HUGIN

Investors Relations
VIVALIS
Franck Grimaud, CEO
Email: Email Contact

NEWCAP
Financial communication Agency
Steve Grobet / Emmanuel Huynh
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 44 71 94 91
Email: Email Contact

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