OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals Signs Supply Agreement with Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc.

New York, NY - OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets biosurgical and antibody-based products, announced recently that it has signed a long term supply agreement with Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. for Cryoprecipitate ("cryo"), a plasma fraction containing coagulation proteins.

According to the company, Cryo is the raw material from which Omrix manufactures BAC, the fibrinogen component of its marketed fibrin sealants and fibrin patch development product. Per the terms of the agreement, OMRIX will commit to certain minimum purchases of cryo and have a right of first refusal to additional supply of cryo, thereby obtaining the necessary amounts to meet its entire BAC production demands. Prior to the supply of cryo by Talecris OMRIX purchased source plasma and through fractionation obtained cryo adds the company.

"We are constantly evaluating our business model and exploring alternatives for multiple raw material sources and to increase the cost efficiency of our raw materials," stated Robert Taub, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our agreement with Talecris for the supply of cryo supports our ongoing decision-making process to purchase either plasma or plasma fractions in order to improve our manufacturing economics."

According to the company sources, by purchasing cryo in lieu of plasma, OMRIX will reduce its dependence on the availability of plasma and secure the supply of its raw material. BAC contains naturally occurring clotting-related proteins, including fibrinogen, Factor XIII, Factor VIII, fibronectin and van Willebrand factor antigen.

SOURCE: OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals, Inc