VGX Pharmaceuticals has developed technology using specific viral proteins that can induce selective apoptosis (programmed cell death) in rapidly dividing cancer cells, leaving normal cells unharmed.   VGX-100, a recombinant viral protein r (Vpr), induces tumor cell death through apoptosis in number of human-derived tumor tissues including breast, prostate and brain.  Initial clinical trials will target patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and gastric cancer.

In addition, the development and manufacturing program that Diosynth Biotechnology will perform employs the Dowpharma^SM Pfēnex Expression Technology^TM, a Pseudomonas-based technology.  Pfēnex Expression Technology can increase yields of recombinant protein when used in biomanufacturing applications. 

"We are excited to work with VGX Pharmaceuticals, an innovative and progressive biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for infectious and immunological diseases and cancer." said Jacques van Kimmenaede, President of Diosynth Biotechnology. Van Kimmenaede added, "We are very interested in applying our skills in fermentation development and manufacturing for the production of VGX-100 and we are also very enthusiastic about using the Pfēnex Expression Technology^TM to do so."

"We are pleased to have contracted Diosynth Biotechnology to manufacture VGX-100, given their extensive experience and broad capabilities in manufacturing of biologics and their commitment to high-quality cGMP manufacturing.  Diosynth's demonstrated ability to successfully employ the Pfēnex Expression Technology^TM was an important consideration in their selection as was the responsiveness of the organization," said J. Joseph Kim, Ph.D., President and CEO of VGX Pharmaceuticals. 

Diosynth Biotechnology offers contract cGMP manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals.  The company serves its customers by applying a full set of capabilities that range from cell line development to clinical and commercial manufacturing of both fermentation and cell culture derived drug substance, through fill and finish of drug product.

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Diosynth Biotechnology

Diosynth Biotechnology is a division of Organon that supplies contract manufacturing services for the global biotechnology industry. The company has an 80-year heritage in biologics manufacturing and is a global leader in technology-driven process development and cGMP manufacturing of recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies and peptides. We help our customers succeed by developing scalable and robust processes and by driving products efficiently, rapidly and cost-effectively from preclinical development to market supply. Diosynth Biotechnology serves pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical customers globally and operates FDA-, Health Canada- and EMEA-inspected cGMP manufacturing facilities in Research Triangle Park, NC USA, and Oss, the Netherlands. Diosynth Biotechnology is part of Akzo Nobel's human healthcare business unit Organon. The Akzo Nobel Safe Harbor Statement (below) applies to this press release. For more information: http://www.diosynthbiotechnology.com/

VGX Pharmaceuticals

VGX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company with small molecules and biologics product candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases. The Company's clinical development programs include PICTOVIR^TM for HIV infection and VGX-410C for chronic HCV infection, both of which are currently in Phase II clinical trials. In addition, Phase I clinical trials will be initiated in 2007 for VGX-150 for the treatment of Melanoma and VGX-1027 for inflammatory diseases. The product candidates and technology programs are protected by the Company's extensive global intellectual property portfolio.  More information about VGX can be found at www.vgxp.com.

Safe Harbor Statement *

This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, progress of drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the company's corporate website http://www.akzonobel.com/. The 2006 Annual Report on Form 20-F will be available in the second quarter of 2007.

* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.