Tanox Inc.

Texas, USA Founded in 1986

Tanox, Inc., a US public biotechnology company (Ticker: TNOX), engages in the discovery and development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of immune-mediated and infectious disease. The first product ,Xolair, is an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody for the treatment of persistent allergic asthma. Partnering with Genentech, Xolair's global sale is US$320M in 2005 alone. With younger patients being qualified for the treatment, the sale is expected to increase from 2006. TNX-355 is Tanox's next product for treatment of AIDS. The result of phase II trial demonstrates effectiveness in mid 2006, and plans for phase III in near future.

IBTM invested in Tanox at its early stage and got a good return when it went public.

Bayhill Therapeutics Inc.

CA, USA Founded in 2002

Bayhill is a DNA vaccine company targeting on the treatment of autoimmune diseases with the technology transferred from Dr. Lawrence Steiman, Stanford University. The most advanced project, BHT-3009, is an antigen specific immunomodulator for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, currently in its Phase II clinical trial. Multiple sclerosis is the most common non-traumatic cause of disability in young adults with 350,000 people affected which accumulates a national cost of nearly $10B in the US. The second project, BHT-3021, targets on treatment of Type 1 Diabetes, currently is in its Phase I studies. The third project is in its pre-clinical studies for Lupus.

Arpida

Munchenstein, Swiss Founded in 1997

Arpida Ltd. (SWX: ARPN) is a Swiss biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of novel antibiotics for the treatment of severe bacterial infections. Its lead product, Icaprim, is well on track in the phase III trial in the US and Europe for the treatment of server skin infection. Icaprim has completed 500- patient- enrollment in Sep. 2006, the final result will be revealed by the end of 2006. The oral form of Icaprim has completed its Phase I trial and demonstrates 40% bioavailability compares with its injection form. Another product candidate, AR709, is effective to the treatment of more than 60 Asia-originated drug resistant bacteria. It will initiated its phase I trail in the mid of 2006.

TaiGen Biotechnology Company Ltd.

Taipei, Taiwan Founded: 2001

Taigen is a drug discovery company targeting on GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors) which partners with Arena Pharmaceuticals for screening of drug candidates. GPCRs are the major receptors on cell membrane which account for many drug interactions. Thirty one of the top 100 drugs in the world target on the interaction with GPCRs. Taigen's GPCR drug candidates will file IND in 2007 for the treatment of Server Limb Ischmia. Taigen has strong financial backing lead by MPM Capital, the largest biotech venture firm in the world, and other major institutional investors from Taiwan. Currently, it has 87 employees with 55 scientists trained in the US, Canada, Europe and Taiwan. In 2005, Taigen and Proter &Gamble signed an agreement for developing of antibiotic TG-873870. Taigen will initiate its phase II clinical trail in 2007 for Community Acquired Pneumonia in several countries including US, South Africa, China and Taiwan.

Vita Genomics, Inc.

Taipei, Taiwan Founded: 2001

Vita Genomics is a biotechnology company that develops genechips for hepatitis, family inherent diseases and cancers using pharmacogenomic approaches. In 2003, Vita established the first Affymetrix-affiliated GeneChip service center in Asia to provide microarray screening services worldwide. Vita has subsidiaries in the US and Shanghai.
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