Solvay Supports CMT Fight With Queen Elisabeth Medical Foundation

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WITH THE QUEEN ELISABETH MEDICAL FOUNDATION, SOLVAY SUPPORTS THE

FIGHT AGAINST CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISEASE

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The quest to treat more effectively a neuro-degenerative disorder

that affects one person in 2,500

Solvay today announces that it will be supporting the Queen

beth Medical Foundation (QEMF) in its advanced research in the

field of peripheral nervous system disorders, more specifically the

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuro-degenerative disease. Jacques van

Rijckevorsel, Member of Solvay's Executive Committee will this

evening present the Solvay Prize, worth 25,000 euros to finance the

work being conducted by Professors Timmerman and De

Jonghe of VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie) and Antwerp

University's Born Bunge Institute on the molecular genetics and

biology of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies. The ceremony will take

place at Belgium's Royal Palace and will be attended by Her Royal

Highness Princess Astrid.

CMT disease is characterized by a weakening and gradual atrophy of

the muscles of the lower limbs, feet and hands, causing a motor

and/or sensorial disability that affects 1 person in 2,500

worldwide, as from infancy. With the support of QEMF, the

researchers at the Born Bunge Institute have made substantial

progress in the identification of the genes and mutations associated

with the disease, and in the discovery of the protein functions

concerned. This is a major step forward towards the development of

more efficient diagnoses and treatment.

" On behalf of Solvay and my colleagues on the Executive Committee, I

can only say how happy and honored we are to bring our material

support to the Queen beth Medical Foundation " , declared Jacques

van Rijckevorsel.

" In our pharmaceutical work at Solvay we constantly endeavor to

bring to market new products that fill the gaps in the existing

range of therapeutic solutions. A company such as ours has social

responsibilities and a contribution to make to the wellbeing of

today's and tomorrow's generations. Each year, to help build a

better future, Solvay Group allocates some 1.5 billion euros to

Research investment " , added Jacques van Rijckevorsel.

SOLVAY is an international chemicals and pharmaceutical group with

its head office in Brussels (Belgium). It has operations in over 50

countries and employs a workforce of 29,000 in its Chemicals,

Plastics and Pharmaceuticals businesses. In 2006 its income amounted

to 9.4 million euros. Solvay is listed on the Euronext in Brussels

(Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR). For

full details go to www.solvay.com.