Symrise and Cutech win the HBA Best New Technology Award

14 oktober 2008Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- A full-thickness skin model developed by Symrise and Cutech Srl. received the "Best New Technology Award" at the 2008 HBA Industry Awards. The PSOCM (pig skin organ culture model) provides an ideal representation of the natural structure of the skin, making it an outstanding alternative both to animal testing and to artificial skin models. The HBA Industry Awards presentation was held September 9, 2008, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York. Symrise and Cutech worked together to develop a long-term culture of ex-vivo pig skin, a project that industry experts declared the winner in the category of "Best New Technology." This marked the third time that Health & Beauty America (HBA) and Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine had presented the award, which honors new technologies of significant, long-term importance to the cosmetics, personal care and perfumes industries. The PSOCM (pig skin organ culture model) developed by Symrise and Cutech represents an ethical alternative to animal testing and artificial skin models, saving time and money in a variety of applications. Unlike skin that has been cultured in the laboratory, in ex vivo pig skin the skin's own natural structure is completely and optimally represented. This, along with its marked similarity to human skin, makes pig skin a highly predictive model for the application of active cosmetic agents. The PSOCM allows researchers to conduct efficacy tests on skin pigmentation modulators, anti-cellulite compounds and anti-aging compounds, as well as the corresponding finished formulations. Safety tests for skin irritation and sensitivity are also under development. The skin used for test models is harvested exclusively from pigs raised for meat production and, as such, its use is in full compliance with the new EU cosmetics directive. Symrise and Cutech have been cooperating on tissue culture projects since 2003, ultimately founding SCoutech in April of 2008. SCoutech is a joint venture offering a comprehensive array of screening and consultation services to clients in the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food supplements industries. In the words of Dr. Gabriele Vielhaber, VP Innovation/R&D Life Essentials, Scent & Care at Symrise, "This award is yet another testimony to the innovative power of our Life Essentials business unit. Most of all, though, it shows the importance of research collaborations for Symrise. The PSOCM honor confirms the high quality and innovative strength of our collaboration partner Cutech and underlines the high potential of our joint venture." As Dr. Paolo Pertile, President and CEO of Cutech, says, "By uniting the expertise of Cutech and Symrise, we can offer SCoutech clients highly specialized methods for testing the active agents and final products on the skin and hair-care markets. We're extraordinarily pleased that the success of this joint venture has now been confirmed, not just by our customers, but also by this prestigious award." About Symrise Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings and raw materials and active ingredients for the perfume, cosmetics and food industry. Its sales of ¤1.27 billion in 2007 place the company among the top four in the international flavors and fragrances market. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, Symrise is represented in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, the United States and South America. With more than 40 first patent applications per year, Symrise is one of the most innovative manufacturers on the market. Used by manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics and foods, our products are an inseparable part of daily life. At Symrise we combine an awareness of consumer trends with cutting-edge technologies, focusing on innovative fashion and lifestyle products that have additional practical value for the consumer. Symrise - always inspiring more. www.symrise.com Contact: red roses communications, Jenny Bruhn, phone: +49 40 4696770-10, e-mail: j.bruhn@redroses-pr.com About Cutech Cutech is an Italian biotech company that operates in the fields of dermatology and cosmetology. With its profound knowledge of the "skin system" and special attention to the role played by the hair follicle in regulating its metabolism, Cutech is involved in the development of innovative preclinical models for human skin and hair follicles to be used as screening tools, as well as in the discovering of new active ingredients suitable for cosmeceutic applications. Cutech's unique know-how makes the company a well-respected and reliable reference point for all companies engaged in the development of products for skin and hair. Cutech facilities are based in Padua, Italy. The company can rely on a small team of competent and highly motivated scientists, extremely flexible organization and state-of-the-art technological platform covering all fields of cell, tissue and molecular biology. www.cutech.it Contact: Paolo Pertile, phone: +39 049 8702225, e-mail: pertile@cutech.it --- End of Message --- Symrise AG Mühlenfeldstraße 1 Holzminden Germany WKN: SYM999; ISIN: DE000SYM9999; Index: MDAX, TecDAX; Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse, Freiverkehr in Bayerische Börse München, Freiverkehr in Hanseatische Wertpapierbörse zu Hamburg, Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin, Freiverkehr in Börse Düsseldorf, Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart, Prime Standard in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse;