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The Chairman of ABIVAX accompanies French President François Hollande during his trip to Cuba on May 11

This underlines the strong and pioneering position of ABIVAX with Biotechnology centers in Havana

Paris, May 11, 2015 – ABIVAX, a biotech company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of anti-viral drugs and vaccines, announces that Philippe Pouletty, MD, Founder and Chairman of the Board of ABIVAX will attend the first visit of the French President in Cuba on May 11, 2015. In fact, Mr. Hollande will be the first French Head of State to set foot on Cuban soil. The visit of a prominent European Head of State comes just weeks after the historic move of Mr. Obama and Mr. Castro to re-establish diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States.

"ABIVAX has long recognized the excellence of research and industrial production of vaccines and biological products from Cuba, and was able to build relationships with the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) for nearly 5 years, and more recently, with the Finlay Institute. ABIVAX is honored that President Hollande will see the great work Cuban and French scientists are doing together to fight severe viral diseases ", said Dr. Pouletty.

ABIVAX is a pioneering player in the western Pharma and Biotech industry that has positioned itself to partner with Cuba for multiple projects. These relationships have already resulted in a number of important agreements for ABIVAX including the in-licensing of first-in-class ABX203 (a novel therapeutic vaccine candidate to treat chronic hepatitis B), as well as a first-in-class anti-viral compound against Dengue, and the acquisition of some distribution rights of 3 commercial vaccines against Typhoid, Meningococcus B&C, and Leptospirosis.

ABIVAX has set its goal to become a global leader in anti-viral treatments with a long-lasting therapeutic effect to treat some of the world’s most threatening viral diseases: HIV, Chronic Hepatitis B, Dengue, Ebola, and Chikungunya. Although ABIVAX has other major projects besides its Cuban partnerships, ABIVAX sees its partnership with CIGB as a priority, with Dr. Pouletty adding, “ABIVAX is co-developing, licensing and commercializing several products from Cuba, which is a country of international standing in the field of healthcare, and was able to establish balanced relations between complementary partners."

President Hollande will meet with several CIGB and BioCubaFarma executives. Today, the Cuban life science industry is based on cutting edge science and technology research, with more than 500 vaccines, biologics and commercialized drugs. They have also developed high quality manufacturing capabilities recognised by WHO, with competitive costs of goods.

Speaking about the important partnership in Cuba, Prof. Hartmut Ehrlich, MD, CEO of ABIVAX said, "We are proud of our collaborations with these excellent institutions from Cuba, which are developing and manufacturing high quality biologics. Additional agreements are under discussion."