Crucell Announces Registration of Hepavax-Gene(R) in China

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Crucell Announces Registration of Hepavax-Gene® in China

Posted 08 December 2008

LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS -- (Marketwire) -- 12/08/08 -- Dutch

biopharmaceuticalcompany Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL; Swiss Exchange:

CRX),today announced that the Chinese Authorities have releasedHepavax-Gene® for

registration and quality control in China.

" The launch of Hepavax-Gene® is a significant advancement in theexpansion of

Crucell's business in the highly strategic Chinesevaccine market, " said

Brus, Crucell's Chief Executive Officer. " Hepavax-Gene® will contribute

significantly to the sustainability ofour Chinese operations. The Chinese

hepatitis B vaccine market is theworld's biggest market with approximately 100

million dosesadministered yearly. "

The prospects for Hepavax-Gene® in the Chinese private market areexcellent.

Hepavax-Gene® will be positioned in the high-end privatemarket segment with a

particular focus on young adults. Hepavax-Gene®possesses two decisive

advantages; its production is based onCrucell's hansenula polymorpha patented

technology and it is 100%free of thiomersal. Thiomersal is a mercury based

compound which, inseveral countries, is being phased out from vaccines given

tochildren to avoid potentially adverse effects.

Hepavax-Gene®

Hepavax-Gene® is a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. Since itsintroduction in

1996, more than 596 million doses have been sold inover 90 countries, making it

the third most used hepatitis B vaccinein the world. It is one of the World

Health Organization (WHO)'spre-qualified vaccines for immunization against

hepatitis B virus(HBV). As one of seven different human hepatitis (inflammation

of theliver) viruses, HBV can give rise to acute hepatitis lasting severalweeks,

but can also result in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of theliver and liver

cancer. It is a highly infectious disease and endemicin many parts of the world,

with more than 350 million chroniccarriers. It claims about one million lives

each year.

Hansenula Polymorpha Technology

H. polymorpha patented technology is a broadly applicable proteinexpression

system. It offers a safe and robust platform forindustrial scale production of

pharmaceuticals including vaccines.Crucell was the first to use the H.

polymorpha platform to theprocess development of its hepatitis B vaccine

Hepavax-Gene®. Theexpression system has proven to be a safe, reliable system for

abroad range of industrial proteins.