FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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July 18, 2001

JENNIFER BOES, 302.672.6840

Newark - Governor Ruth Ann Minner joined officials from Fraunhofer USA on Wednesday to announce that the German-based organization has chosen to locate its first U.S.-based biotechnology research center at the Delaware Technology Park in Newark. The parent organization of Fraunhofer USA, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, is Germany's leading organization of institutes of applied research.

The Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology will create approximately 20 new, well paying jobs. The Center will focus most of its efforts on the study of molecular farming, or the use of plants to grow pharmaceuticals as a way to make vaccines and drugs at a lower cost and in greater quantity.

Dr. Dirk Meints Polter, a member of the Executive Committee of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and President of Fraunhofer-U.S.A., also announced that Dr. Barry Marrs will serve as Executive Director of the Center and Dr. Vadadi Yusibov will serve as Scientific Director. Dr. Marrs is formerly director of Corporate Research & Development at Hercules, Inc. and Dr. Yusibov, former Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Biotechnology Foundation Lab at Thomas Jefferson University.

Dr. Polter, said, "From a German point of view, we see the United States as a good outlet for technology that we have been developing in Germany. There were two reasons we selected Delaware. The State of Delaware, your governor, the community, the University of Delaware and the technology sector, have always made us feel welcome. Our decision to locate our Center for Molecular Biotechnology in Delaware was also based on finding a first rate executive director and scientific director, and we were able to do that here in Delaware."

"Fraunhofer's decision to locate its U.S. biotechnology center in Delaware demonstrates our continuing ability to attract the best and the brightest," Gov. Minner said. "We are pleased that Delaware will be home to the new Center for Molecular Biotechnology and host to some of the world's most advanced research in the fields of medicine, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences."

The Fraunhofer-U.S.A. organization considered seven or eight other states during a selection process that began last summer. Gov. Minner has met with Frauhofer-U.S.A. officials several times during the first six months of her administration and traveled to Germany in May to further negotiate the deal with German executives.

The biotechnology center will join the Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing and Advanced Materials in a fifth building currently under construction at the Delaware Technology Park that will be complete in the first quarter of 2002. The Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology will be temporarily located at the Delaware Biotechnology Center until construction is complete. The Fraunhofer materials center announced in February that it is expanding its operations and expects to employ 40-50 by 2004.

"The attributes that Fraunhofer brings to the Delaware Technology Park fit all of our desired criteria - applied research in advanced materials and biotechnology, job creation with spin-out potential and strong affinity to universities," said Mike Bowman, President of the Delaware Technology Park.

John D. Wik, Delaware Economic Development Office Director, said, "The certainty that Germany's leading research and development institute will expand its presence in Delaware bodes well for our future as a national hub for biotechnology and other high tech industries, building on our existing critical mass that includes the Delaware Biotechnology Center, AstraZeneca and over 35 other biotechnology businesses. The Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology has expressed an interest in working as a catalyst to attract new businesses in life sciences and spin-off businesses, and we look forward to working with them on this initiative."

"The University of Delaware is honored that an organization of Fraunhofer's stature would select the Delaware Technology Park as the site for its new biotechnology center and we look forward to a long and productive relationship," University of Delaware President David P. Roselle said. "We believe Fraunhofer will be an ideal partner for the University and for the State of Delaware as we continue to work together to promote scientific research, quality education and enhanced job opportunities."

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently maintains 48 research centers in Germany, with seven in the United States. They have a staff of 9,600, the majority of whom are scientists and engineers.