MediGene to Present at Fourth Annual Needham Biotechnology Conference in New York City

MediGene to Present at Fourth Annual Needham Biotechnology
Conference in New York City


MARTINSRIED/MUNICH, Germany and SAN DIEGO, May 23  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
The German-American biotech company MediGene AG (German Stock Exchange
(Frankfurt), Prime Standard: MDG) [MDGGn.DE] announced today that the Company
will be presenting at the Fourth Annual Needham Biotechnology Conference in New
York on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 4 p.m. local time at the New York Palace
Hotel.

The presentation will be given by Dr. Peter Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer
of MediGene. The presentation will be webcast live and will be accessible
through the MediGene website at http://www.medigene.com/. A replay will be
available via the website following the live event.

MediGene possesses a mature drug pipeline with one drug available on the German
market (Eligard(R) for the treatment of prostate cancer) with a pan-European
roll out in preparation as well as a number of additional drug candidates in
all stages of clinical development (phases I - III):

The Polyphenon(R) E Ointment intended for the treatment of a variety of
non-melanoma skin tumors has completed two independent clinical phase III
trials demonstrating significant efficacy in the treatment of anogenital and
perianal warts. MediGene is currently preparing the NDA for submission to the
US regulatory authorities in Q3 2005. Line extensions can substantially
increase the commercial potential of Polyphenon(R) E. In June 2005, MediGene
plans to announce results from a clinical phase II proof of concept study in
the indication actinic keratosis.

In addition, MediGene owns cutting-edge platform technologies including EndoTAG
and oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viruses. The drug candidate EndoTAG-1 follows the
already established therapeutic principle of anti-angiogenesis (suppressing
tumor vascularization). EndoTAG-1, a novel liposomal formulation of paclitaxel,
has already undergone clinical phase I/II trials with more than 100 patients in
different cancer diseases. In Q3 2005, MediGene is planning to initiate a phase
II trial in pancreatic cancer.

The oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus NV1020 is currently undergoing a phase I/II
trial in liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma. About 30 patients will be
treated during this trial with results expected by the end of 2006.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the
judgement of MediGene as of the date of this release. These forward- looking
statements are no guarantees for future performance, and the forward- looking
events discussed in this press release may not occur. MediGene disclaims any
intent or obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
MediGene(TM) is a trademark of MediGene AG, Eligard(R) is a trademark of QLT
USA, Inc. (formerly Atrix), Polyphenon(R) E is a trademark of Mitsui Norin.

MediGene AG is a publicly quoted (Frankfurt: TecDAX30), German-American
biotechnology company located in Martinsried, Germany and San Diego, USA.
MediGene is the first German biotech company with a drug on the market. The
company has the most mature drug development pipeline in the German biotech
industry with oncological drug candidates undergoing clinical phase I - III
trials (phase III completed). In addition, MediGene possesses innovative
platform technologies with its HSV technology and the newly acquired EndoTAG
technology. MediGene's core competence lies in research and development of
novel approaches for the treatment of various tumor diseases. Thus MediGene
focuses on indications of high medical need and economic opportunities. 

DATASOURCE: MediGene AG



CONTACT:  MediGene AG, , Fax: [phone];

Dr. Michael Nettersheim, Investor Relations, Tel.: [phone]



Web site:  http://www.medigene.com/ 

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