OPI (ORPHAN PHARMA INTERNATIONAL)

OPI is awarded the "Prize for the Company of Tomorrow"

O.P.I. (ORPHAN PHARMA INTERNATIONAL) was founded in 1999 by the former chairman of Imtix, Mr. Alberici.

This European biopharmaceutical company is specialized in developing products designed to treat patients suffering from rare and severe illnesses (orphan diseases), focusing in particular on 3 areas: hematology, transplants, and cancer research.

The company is currently based in Dardilly. This fast-growing firm achieves a turnover of 2.5 million euros with a workforce of just 20 people. It is currently in the process of preparing a 6M€ fund-raising venture in order to expand.

In September 2003, OPI announced its intention to acquire Diaclone, a company based in Besançon, well-known for its potential in R&D, and the production of monoclonal antibodies.

2002 key figures:

	Turnover: 3.2 million euros
	Staff: 16 people

OPI develops its activities in Canada

OPi announced the launching of its actvities in Canada, with the installation of a subsidiary company OPi Inc, based in Montreal (Quebec).

It will deal with the pharmaceutical and commercial activities related to Kidrolase ^® (DCI: L-asparaginasse), drug recently acquired at Aventis Pharma.

OPI Inc choosed CGF Pharmatec, which will act as a distributor of Kidrolase^® on the whole of the Canadian territory as from October 18, 2004. "We take again the activities managed beforehand by Aventis Pharma Inc (Montreal)" indicates Jean-Paul Chausseau, President of CGF Pharmatech. " We are held with the provision of the Canadian whole of the hospitals having a service of hematology, to offer the service to the clinetèle and to deliver the drug Kidrolase^® ".

" With the transfer of the Authorization of setting in market Kidrolase ^® to Canada, we were able to carry out the launching of our activities in the intended deadlines, us allowing to be established in Montreal, where we comtons to develop. We plan to use OPi Inc as bases our operations of development and marketing in North America. "declares Gilles Alberici, President and Founder of Opi.