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1/19/2010 - Xceleron achieves significant growth in 2009 - Raises funds and expands core capabilities to fuel further growth

XCELERON ACHIEVES SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN 2009 - RAISES FUNDS AND EXPANDS CORE CAPABILITIES TO FUEL FURTHER GROWTH

-- Company provides human data early in the drug development process to inform decision-making for pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug development --

Germantown, MD., January 19, 2010 – Xceleron, a leader in providing drug developers with early insights from human data, announced today that it is expanding its bioanalytical capabilities following a year of strong growth.

The company realized significant revenue growth in 2009, and now partners with most of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies to help address the fundamental challenges facing the industry – improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of drug development.  To accelerate future growth, the company recently received additional funding from its current investors -- Albion Ventures and Frog Capital -- and from new investor Solon Ventures, a specialist in the life sciences sector.

“Xceleron has shown that it is well-positioned to help address the time, resource, and productivity challenges associated with drug development,” said Ed Lascelles, Partner, Albion Ventures.  Angus Whiteley, Managing Director, Solon Ventures added, “The extent to which Xceleron can provide its partners with important data through all phases of clinical studies earlier than was otherwise possible is only now being recognized. We look forward to supporting the company and its partners through this exciting next phase of growth.” 

Xceleron helps clients make early and well-informed portfolio decisions by providing reliable information about a drug candidate in a number of clinical settings.  These include human PK in Phase 0; absolute bioavailability and metabolism in Phase 1; and problem-solving ADME in Phase 2/3.  The company also supports preclinical evaluation of proteins and other high molecular weight drugs. Xceleron reduces its partners’ reliance on traditional linear testing methods.  The quality data and insights the company provides help to inform critical portfolio choices from candidate selection to drug formulation.

“Our growth reflects the significant challenges facing our customers, and our ability to deliver very cost-effective insight into a molecule’s characteristics starting in the preclinical stage and extending throughout clinical development,” said Michael Butler, PhD, CEO, Xceleron. “The new investment will allow us to expand our capacity in line with customer demand.” 

About Xceleron

Founded in 1997 in York, UK, Xceleron provides unique and robust human data and insights to inform the full range of decisions that determine drug development success, from early preclinical testing through late-stage development.  Xceleron leverages its expertise in microtracing, microdosing, and AMS to provide unprecedented insights into how drug candidates will perform in humans. The company combines technical expertise with vast drug development experience and the industry’s most rigorous analytical quality processes to provide its partners with reliable information for critical decision-making. There are currently seven drugs on the market that have used Xceleron AMS data in filing, and others in late stages of development. In 2008, the company opened its US facility in Maryland. For company information, visit Xceleron at www.xceleron.com

Albion Ventures LLP (www.albion-ventures.co.uk) is a leading independent venture capital investor, managing over £200 million across seven Venture Capital Trusts. Based in London, Albion typically invests between £1-10 million in a wide range of growing UK businesses, from technology companies to service and asset-based businesses. Albion Ventures won 2009 VCT Manager of the Year at the Unquote Awards and 2009 VCT of the Year at the Investor Allstar Awards.

Frog Capital (www.frogcapital.com) is a London-based investment partner to some of Europe's most ambitious growth-stage companies. Frog invests mainly across the cleantech and IT & digital media sectors, leading or partnering in fundings of €2 million to €20 million expansion capital, minority purchases, management buy-outs, or acquisitions. Occasionally, Frog invests in quoted companies.

Solon Ventures LP (www.solonventures.com) is a Jersey-based limited partnership that invests in private UK healthcare and technology companies. The fund is advised by Solon Ventures Limited, a UK venture capital advisory business based in London, UK.

Media Contact:

Krystle Ficco

Feinstein Kean Healthcare

(617) 761-6702

krystle.ficco@fkhealth.com

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