Bioproduction facility to be completed in First Quarter of 2010, demonstrating game-changing speed of FlexFactory technology

Xcellerex, Inc. announced today that Crucell N.V. (Euronext, Nasdaq: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX) is acquiring a FlexFactory™ bioproduction line and multiple XDR single-use bioreactors, to rapidly expand the capacity and flexibility of its manufacturing capabilities. Crucell is the latest company to purchase a FlexFactory, Xcellerex’s innovative, modular turnkey manufacturing platform. The project will deliver new, validated clinical manufacturing capacity at Crucell’s operations in Leiden, The Netherlands during the first quarter of 2010, enabling Crucell to commence production years faster than with conventional technologies. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“The FlexFactory purchase is an important part of our product development strategy as we build capacity to support our growing pipeline of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies for infectious diseases,” commented Dr. Cees de Jong, Chief Operating Officer at Crucell. “In addition to coming on line rapidly, the FlexFactory platform has great potential to increase our operational efficiency based on its flexibility for multi-drug production, use of disposables, and reduced operating expenses.”

Xcellerex President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Zakrzewski commented, “Crucell is the world’s largest independent vaccine manufacturer and a growing infectious disease company. The company’s FlexFactory purchase is a major endorsement of our manufacturing and development platform.” He noted that Xcellerex has demonstrated the potential of its platform, producing nearly 20 biotherapeutics and vaccines for use in clinical trials over the past several years.

The FlexFactory is based on the innovative application of (1) single-use technologies; (2) controlled environmental modules (CEMs); and (3) advanced and proven process automation including electronic batch records. The FlexFactory effectively eliminates clean- and steam-in-place and clean room infrastructure, greatly simplifies facility design, reducing manufacturing footprint and capital investment, and creates breakthrough gains in operating efficiency, flexibility and environmental friendliness.

The agreement, which also includes the sale of Xcellerex’s XDR single-use bioreactors, follows collaborative design work by the two companies over a period of several months.