BioReliance Corporation Announces Agreement with Barr Pharmaceuticals to Supply Bulk Virus for the Manufacture of Adenovirus Vaccine for the U.S. Department of Defense

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioReliance Corporation announced today that it has been contracted by Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to supply bulk adenovirus for the manufacture of Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Adenovirus Types 4 and 7 Live Oral Vaccines. Duramed, a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, announced on December 11, 2008, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review Duramed’s Biologics License Application for the vaccines. The vaccines will be used by the U.S. Department of Defense for administration to military personnel.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adenoviruses most commonly cause respiratory illness; however, depending on the infecting serotype, they may also cause various other illnesses, such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, cystitis, and rash illness. Symptoms of respiratory illness caused by adenovirus infection range from the common cold syndrome to pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis. Patients with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible to severe complications of adenovirus infection. Acute respiratory disease (ARD), first recognized among military recruits during World War II, can be caused by adenovirus infections during conditions of crowding and stress. Adenoviruses still pose a substantial threat to our military.

“We are pleased to partner with Barr in meeting this significant unmet medical need,” said David Dodd, President, CEO and Chairman of BioReliance Corporation. “We look forward to working with them on this program and to developing a long-lasting mutually beneficial relationship.”

About BioReliance

BioReliance Corporation is a leading specialist provider of cost-effective contract services to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, offering more than 1,000 tests or services related to biologics safety testing, in vitro and in vivo toxicology, viral manufacturing, GMP manufacturing, pre-clinical testing and lab animal health diagnostics. Founded in 1947 as Microbiological Associates, BioReliance is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, and has primary facilities in Rockville, Glasgow, Scotland and Stirling, Scotland, and employs more than 700 people globally. For more information, visit www.bioreliance.com.