A+ Science Invest AB, InnovationsKapital and Swedestart have invested 45 million SEK in the research company Pharmacore

A+ Science Invest AB, InnovationsKapital and Swedestart have invested 45 million SEK in the research company Pharmacore AB. This investment will provide financing of Pharmacore's development of a new cluster of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of common medical conditions, such as gastritis, functional gastrointestinal complaints, and cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart failure. Pharmacore's activities are based on research conducted by leading scientists in medicinal chemistry, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular research at the Universities of Gothenburg and Uppsala. Boo Edgar, General Manager of A+ Science Invest, commented, "The foundation of Pharmacore is a natural step to further develop the project. The broad knowledge contained now within Pharmacore, will allow the company to discover and develop the new pharmaceutical molecules, including concept studies in man. The formation of Pharmacore is one of several project-related company start-ups within A+". Tomas Hammargren, chairman of the Board of Pharmacore AB said, "Pharmacore is in the early stage of development of a whole new cluster of pharmaceuticals. A confident patent situation, top class scientists and a large market potential makes Pharmacore a company to be watched closely in the near future. A+ Science Invest, InnovationsKapital and Swedestart are strong sponsors for continued research and together contribute to Pharmacore's ability to utilise to unique business development competencies." Mikael Brönnegård, InnovationsKapital, and Anders Mertel, Swedestart, commented that Pharmacore's founding scientists, as well as other involved researchers, have discovered unique points of intervention to regulate the gastrointestinal functions that cause the discomfort and symptoms associated with dyspepsia and IBS. "The conception of pharmaceuticals in this area has great potential to help a very large group of patients, who currently have very few treatment options. In addition, a new structure (receptor) identified by scientists at Pharmacore will eventually become the target for development of pharmaceuticals treating cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart failure. We believe the company has the right prerequisites to succeed in the conception of pharmaceuticals in both gastrointestinal and cardiovascular areas, offering help to a tremendously large group of patients". Gothenburg, December 12 , 2001 Enquiries should be addressed to: Boo Edgar, A+ Science Invest AB (publ) +46 31 778 2131 or +46 708 888 427 alternatively boo.edgar@a-plusscience.com Tomas Hammargren, Pharmacore AB, +46 706 494 549 alternatively tomas@hammargren.pp.se Mikael Brönnegård, InnovationsKapital, +46 8 54 50 14 94 or +46 70 299 62 64 alternatively mikael.bronnegard@innkap.se Anders Mertel, Swedestart Management AB, +46 8 545 854 70 or +46 705 791 939 alternatively anders@swedestart.se A+ Science Invest AB (publ.), formed in 1997, identifies, evaluates, acquires, finances, develops and commercialises patentable and marketable inventions arising from medical and scientific research, with a focus on healthcare. The project portfolio comprises some thirty projects in medicine and biotechnology. Major owners are the National Pension Insurance Fund, Sixth Fund Board, The Holding Company at Göteborg University, Investor Investments Novare Limited, Biofund, and Optiomi OY. For additional information on A+, please visit our website at www.a- plusscience.com InnovationsKapital was founded in 1994 and is today one of Sweden's leading early stage venture capital firms for innovative growth companies. The business, carried out from offices in Gothenburg and Stockholm, is focused on Nordic investments within ICT and HealthCare & Life Sciences - dynamic sectors that are rapidly expanding and where Nordic research plays a leading role. The capital (EUR193 million) is managed in three funds and is provided by highly reputable Swedish and international institutional investors. Further information about InnovationsKapital can be found on: www.innkap.se Swedestart Life Science KB is a VC company focusing on long-term minority investments in early stage development companies within the field of Health Care with an unique potential of global expansion. Swedestart Life Science KB is part of Swedestart Management AB, one of Sweden's most experienced and successful VC actors focusing on early stages. Swedestart Management AB have 1.5 billion SEK under management divided in four founds. Life science and technology are the areas of investment For additional information, please visit our homepage: www.swedestart.se ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/12/12/20011212BIT00190/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/12/12/20011212BIT00190/bit0002.pdf