Almirall and BioFocus announce collaboration to find new hit compounds against key targets

• Targets are related to the treatment of respiratory and inflammatory conditions

Barcelona, Spain, and Saffron Walden, UK, November 15, 2011. The pharmaceutical companyAlmirall S.A.and BioFocus, an integrated drug discovery partner, today announced they have entered into a collaboration agreement to find new hit compounds against key targets of interest to Almirall. These compounds will be used to support projects aimed at the treatment of respiratory andinflammatory conditions.

Under the terms of the collaboration, BioFocus will apply its screening technologies and compound collections to an undisclosed number of Almirall projects.

“We have been impressed by the depth of the BioFocus technology platforms, the size, content and diversity of the available compound decks and the obvious strength and experience of the scientists that will be engaged on our projects working on respiratory and inflammatory conditions”,said Dr. Bertil Lindmark, CSO, Executive Director R&D of Almirall.

“We are delighted to form a drug discovery alliance with one of Europe’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies,” added Dr. Kate Hilyard, VP Biological Sciences, BioFocus.

About Almirall Almirall is an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, it researches, develops, manufactures and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people’s health and wellbeing.

Almirall focuses its research resources on therapeutic areas related to the treatment of asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), gastrointestinal disorders, psoriasis and other dermatological conditions.

Almirall’s products are currently present in over 70 countries while it has direct presence in Europeand Latin Americathrough 12 affiliates.

For further information please visit the website at: www.almirall.com.

About BioFocus BioFocus provides integrated drug discovery that delivers pre-clinical drug candidates in all therapeutic areas with strong capability in neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases and with a growing track record of delivering candidates against rare and neglected diseases.

BioFocus has advanced and comprehensive drug discovery capabilities that are applied to client projects to deliver targets, hits, leads and candidate pre-clinical drugs.  The company employs over 220 exceptionally qualified and industry experienced scientists at its three research centers in the UK, Switzerlandand the Netherlands.

Since its foundation in 1997, BioFocus has striven to produce high quality data for its clients and this quality is assured by ISO9001 qualification validated by regular, independent inspection of all BioFocus research centers.

For more information visit www.biofocus.com

Contact:

Almirall – Media                                                                  BioFocus - Media

Sonia Sansegundo/Vito Ballestero	Katie Odgaard
Ketchum Pleon - Spain	Zyme Communications
Phone:+34 91 788 32 00 E-mail: sonia.sansegundo@ketchumpleon.com	Phone : +44 (0) 7787 502 947 E-mail : katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com