GCOR Genencor International, (MM)

Saegis Pharmaceuticals Appoints Genencor's Jean-Jacques Bienaime to Its Board of Directors HALF MOON BAY, Calif., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Saegis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing medicines that protect and enhance memory and brain function, announced today the appointment of Jean-Jacques Bienaime, chairman, CEO and president of Genencor International, Inc. (NASDAQ:GCOR) to its Board of Directors, increasing the total number of Board members to seven (7). "We are delighted to have Jean-Jacques join our Board," said Rodney Pearlman, Ph.D., President and CEO of Saegis. "His 25 years of management experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical sector, will help support Company growth as we progress our products through the clinic. His unique depth of knowledge of this sector, and, in particular his insights into corporate strategy, business development and marketing, will be a valued contribution to the Saegis Board." Bienaime joined Genencor in November 2002 as CEO and president. Prior to Genencor, he served as chairman, CEO and president of SangStat Medical Corporation (acquired by Genzyme) where he managed the company's growth from $4 million to more than $100 million, guiding SangStat to profitability. From 1992 to 1998 Bienaime served at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals (now Sanofi-Aventis) where in his last position of Senior Vice President for Corporate Marketing and Business development he reoriented RPR's strategic direction and focus around the company's key therapeutic areas. In June 2004, Bienaime was appointed to the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Board of Directors, while also serving as a Board member at Aerogen Inc., NeurogesX and the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. He holds a degree in economics from Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. "With a lead product already in Phase II clinical studies for Alzheimer's disease and a solid pipeline and platform technology in place, I believe Saegis is poised to make an important contribution to the treatment of cognitive dysfunction and central nervous system diseases," said Bienaime. "I look forward to my role on the Board and advising the company, as Saegis advances its promising products through the clinic." About Saegis Pharmaceuticals Founded in 1999, Saegis Pharmaceuticals is a pioneer in the development of medicines that protect and enhance the function of the human mind. Through licensing activity, development partnerships and internal discovery programs, Saegis Pharmaceuticals is building a portfolio of compounds with activity against a range of disorders of the brain and central nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Currently the Company has three orally-available small molecule compounds in clinical development, two of which have already demonstrated efficacy and safety in humans. Privately held, Saegis has received investment support from Versant Ventures, Technology Partners, Sofinnova Ventures (U.S.), Sofinnova Partners (Paris), Polaris Venture Partners, NeuroVentures, the Stanley Medical Research Institute and Novartis Pharma AG. For more information, visit http://www.saegispharma.com/ . Contacts: Saegis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Euro RSCG Life NRP Helen Jenkins Holli Kolkey (650) 560-0210 x227 (858) 546-4811 DATASOURCE: Saegis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Helen Jenkins of Saegis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-650-560-0210, ext. 227, ; Holli Kolkey of Euro RSCG Life NRP, +1-858-546-4811, , for Saegis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Web site: http://www.saegispharma.com/

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