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Four years after the GDNF phase II trials for pump infusion delivery of GDNF were terminated by Amgen.... Further research and analysis has supported the belief that GDNF is one of the most promising neuroprotective therapies in the pipeline. Hopefully AMT will move decisively ahead and will successfully develop GDNF gene therapy in the not too distant future. linda AMT Obtains License to Amgen's GDNF Gene to Develop Treatment for Parkinson's Disease with AMT's Proprietary Gene Therapy Platform (18/09/08 09:12 CET) Amsterdam, The Netherlands - September 18, 2008 - Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (Euronext: AMT), a leader in the field of human gene therapy, today announced that it obtained a license from Amgen to use their GDNF gene for the development of a gene therapy treatment for Parkinson's disease. The combination of this gene with AMT's proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy platform could potentially allow the development of an effective, long-term treatment for this progressive and crippling disease. Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. It usually affects people over 65 with an estimated total of 4.5 million patients worldwide. Due to increasing life expectancy of the general population, the number of patients with Parkinson's disease is expected to double to around 9 million patients between now and the year 2030. Patients with Parkinson's disease slowly lose control of their muscles, resulting in tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and lack of coordination and thus in a serious loss of quality of life. Parkinson's is caused by degeneration and death of nerve cells in a specific part of the brain. These cells produce dopamine, a substance necessary for communication between nerve cells involved in the coordination of movement. Current therapies are limited to treatment of symptoms. There are no therapies available that slow down or halt the progression of the disease. A new way to deliver the GDNF gene "This license from Amgen offers us a unique opportunity to combine our gene technology and know-how with the GDNF gene as a tool to create a potential breakthrough in the treatment for this common and severely debilitating disease," said Ronald Lorijn, CEO of AMT "We believe our gene therapy approach could be an effective way to deliver the gene to the regions of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease." Protect and improve nerve cells with GDNF The GDNF gene contains the information for a protein necessary for the development and survival of nerve cells. AMT will combine this gene with its own proprietary technology to develop a gene therapy treatment that aims to protect and enhance the function of the nerve cells that produce dopamine. The positive effect of GDNF on nerve cells has been shown in several animal studies, making it an attractive candidate for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.. AMT believes that its gene-delivery platform may potentially provide a solution for delivering GDNF to the brain. About Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics AMT has a unique gene therapy platform that to date appears to circumvent many if not all of the obstacles that have prevented gene therapy from becoming a mainstay of clinical medicine. Using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors as the delivery vehicle of choice for therapeutic genes, the company has been able to design and validate what is probably the first stable and scalable AAV production platform. As such, AMT's proprietary platform holds tremendous promise for thousands of rare (orphan) diseases, especially the ones that are caused by one faulty gene. AMT currently has a product pipeline with seven products at different stages of development. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. For information André Verwei Rob Janssen CFO Director Corporate Communications & Investor Relations +31 20 566 5686 +31 20 566 7509 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] www.amtbiopharma.com http://www.euronext.com/news/companypressrelease/companypressrelease.jsp?lan=NL&docid=583814&cha=1721 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn