PRESS RELEASES   Q&A with Mike Anderson 03/04/2009 Published: March 4, 2009, The Oklahoman Buzz up! Medical breakthroughs urge local research companies ahead Q: Selexys recently confirmed it has received a $3 million federal grant for treatment of sickle cell anemia. That was followed by tours of new laboratory space opened by CoMentis, a fellow tenant at the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park. How much momentum are we seeing in the research park and the Oklahoma Health Center? A: The momentum we’re seeing at the PHF Research Park is very significant. There is no slowdown in the recession with science. We have breakthroughs with several companies. Certainly CoMentis is huge. Astellas has already agreed to make sure funding is available for $760 million for advancement of this product, which will be used as a novel therapeutic in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a leader in everything going to market now. And then with Selexys, its Anti-P-Selectin antibody will not just be used with sickle cell anemia, but it will be a platform for treating many diseases. Q: The Anti-P-Selectin is being manufactured by the adjoining Cytovance biopharmaceutical plant. Are we beginning to see a payoff with Cytovance, which had its plant funded through the research park’s tax increment financing district? A: Cytovance is on its way. It needs to develop more, build more bio-reactors. They have so much success with pending contracts. It is beginning to get a worldwide reputation because of the quality of their biopharmaceutical and biologic manufacturing. STEVE LACKMEYER, BUSINESS WRITER