PARIS ¿ Quantum Appligene, which supplies reagents and laboratory equipment to organizations engaged in molecular biology research, has purchased a 51 percent interest in the Scottish company Excell Biotech Ltd.

Excell Biotech, of Edinburgh, is engaged in the manufacture of proteins for therapeutic applications and has a production facility that complies with GMP standards. It is specialized in particular in the optimization of cell lines and the manufacture and purification of monoclonal antibodies using hollow fiber technology.

Quantum Appligene, of Illkirch, France, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Quantum Biotechnologies Inc., of Montreal, intends to transfer its viral vector production technology to its new affiliate and adapt it to GMP norms. Quantum will thus be able to manufacture GMP-grade viral vectors for research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies.

Excell Biotech¿s turnover for the year that ended April 30, 1999, was 422,000 (US$700,000), which compares with Appligene¿s turnover of about $6.7 million in 1998, the last year for which data are available. ¿ James Etheridge