919 MARKETING INKS DEALS WITH AJINOMOTO AMINOSCIENCE AND ORIEL THERAPEUTICS

Agency's Life Sciences Practice Expands With The Addition Of Two Marquee Accounts.

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – November 20, 2003 – 919 Marketing Company, a privately-held marketing and public relations consulting firm, announced today that it has signed new marketing services agreements with two life sciences companies, Ajinomoto Aminoscience, the Raleigh based amino acid division of a multinational Japanese life sciences firm, and Oriel Therapeutics, an emerging inhaled drug delivery company.

“Oriel Therapeutics and Ajinomoto are very different companies – Oriel is an early stage company with truly breakthrough inhalation technology, while Ajinomoto Aminoscience is a dominant global leader in the amino acid space,” said David Chapman, chief executive officer and founder of 919 Marketing. “However, client companies of all sizes recognize the business impact of breakthrough marketing and public relations programs can have on company growth and market expansion.”

Ajinomoto, the first company in the world to identify, refine and market amino acids, is the leading global manufacturer and marketer of amino acids to the pharmaceutical, bioscience, nutritional and food services industries. Using advanced fermentation and synthesis technologies, Ajinomoto branched out from its origins as a food seasoning business into fields ranging from food products to pharmaceuticals.

The company’s Raleigh facility is its only U.S. manufacturer of cGMP pharmaceutical-grade amino acids. Some of their key applications include, bulking, stabilizing and buffering agents, therapeutic protein development and bioprocessing aids among others.

“We did our homework before selecting 919 Marketing. We were impressed by their strong client relationships, industry reputation and proven track record of producing tangible business results. As a client, we’ve found their LINK Planning Process provides the strategic framework required to maximize marketing opportunities in our core markets,” said David Yarley, marketing communications manager for Ajinomoto Aminoscience.

Oriel Therapeutics has developed technology to produce a “smart” inhaler – a small device that applies an electronic signal to dry powder inhalers, allowing it to drive the delivery of the drug rather than the patient’s own efforts.

The technology was developed through a decade of research into powder dispersion and inhaler design conducted by company founders Dr. Anthony Hickey (chief scientific officer) and Dr. Timothy Crowder (chief technology officer) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Crowder was the primary inventor of the novel aerosolization approach while completing his graduate studies in Dr. Hickey’s laboratories.

“Our decision to go with 919 Marketing came down to their marketing knowledge, strategic approach and insight into leveraging our business model within that market space,” said Dr. Paul Atkins, chief executive officer of Oriel Therapeutics. “They are true marketing and public relations visionaries, and a strong team to have on our side.”

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About 919 Marketing:
919 Marketing is a Holly Springs, N.C.-based marketing communications company that specializes in helping emerging fast track companies and global 2000 corporations create and implement world-class marketing and public relations programs that work. Located just outside North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, 919 provides companies with a refreshingly powerful alternative to both expensive, out of touch advertising agencies and number crunching, linear business consulting firms.

Since 1996, 919 Marketing has generated proven, documented success in helping dozens of technology enabled clients increase revenue, create a competitive advantage, differentiate themselves from the competition and improve sales, marketing and public relations efficiencies.