30 October 2009

Pronota raises an additional EUR 1.3 million in its series B financing

Ghent, Belgium; 30th October 2009 - Pronota NV today announced that it has raised an additional EUR 1.3 million in its series B financing. The financing has been subscribed by MP Healthcare Venture Management Inc., a jointly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation and its parent company, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation in Japan.

Pronota is using the proceeds of the series B to develop its lead program in acute heart failure till full clinical proof of concept. The results obtained so far in the acute heart failure and other programs provide extensive validation of Pronota's technology. Pronota now addresses a significant commercial opportunity and is aiming to have its first product ready to launch by early 2012.

Notes to editors:

About Pronota

Pronota was founded in late 2004 to develop rationally discovered protein biomarker diagnostics. In this short time, it has successfully implemented its technology and generated impressive data in its diagnostic product programs.http://www.pronota.com.

About MP Healthcare Venture Management Inc. (MPH)

MPH is a venture capital firm that invests in innovative research and development that focuses on biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, therapeutics and diagnostics. For more information, please visit the company's website http://www.mp-healthcare.com.

About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) is a research-driven global biopharmaceutical leader based in Japan, specializing in research, development and marketing of globally competitive pharmaceutical products focused on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, and immune and inflammatory diseases. In particular, MTPC strategically focuses on drug discovery in the field of diabetes including a broad range of clinical states from metabolic risks (obesity/dyslipidemia) to complications (renal dysfunction/dialysis) and stroke including the total range of disease phases such as acute phase, convalescence and maintenance. MTPC is currently developing two Phase III clinical candidates in the U.S. and EU: MCI-196 for hyperphosphatemia and MP-146 for CKD. For more information, please visit the web site at http://www.mt-pharma.co.jp.

About Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC)

MCHC is a pure holding company. Worldwide, MCHC employs about 40,000 people and generates sales of over 30B US$ (2008). The group is organized in three core companies - Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Plastics and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation - and has more than 350 other group companies striving to provide customized solutions and uphold the group's motto: "Good chemistry for tomorrow." MCHC is Japan's number one chemical company. Supported by its expertise gained over many years and its innovative spirit, the group has a remarkably diversified portfolio of products and technologies. At present, the group offers extensive product lines in three main domains: Performance products, Health care and Chemicals. Further information can be found on www.mitsubishichem-hd.co.jp/english.