PRESS RELEASEAPRIL 15, 2016 IN LYON, FRANCESIGNING OF A MAJOR FRANCO-JAPANESE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
IN BIOTECHNOLOGIES, PHARMACEUTICALS AND DERMO-COSMETICS

CTIBiotech, Nikkol Group and Nikoderm Research
officialize their strategic agreement in the presence ofthe Japanese Ambassador and the President of Lyon Metropole
MEYZIEU-LYON (69), April 12, 2016 –An evaluation of irritant and other physical effects is required for all products that come into contact
with the skin: cosmetics, quasi-drugs, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, raw materials derived fromnatural products and synthetic raw materials. In this sector, acquiring strategic data on safety andefficacy is essential to the development of new products. With this in mind, CTIBiotech and Nikkol
Group, both with cutting-edge R&D in non-animal testing methods, are signing a research anddevelopment partnership.
In Japan, Nikoderm Research introduced for the first time highly-functional models of reconstructed
human skin, which were first approved in the European Union. The Japanese group then reached out
to specialized dermotological testing and evaluation institutions in France, the US and Brazil, leadingto the strategic partnership with CTIBiotech. A young, innovative company specialized inbiotechnologies, CTIBiotech has developed research on stem cells, tissue engineering and theproduction of new cellular models (in vitro and ex vivo) for biomedical, pharmaceutical and dermatocosmetic research, but also for medical devices applied to cell therapy.
Following the international IN COSMETICS congress, held in Paris from April 12-13 of this year, adelegation of executives from Nikkol Group and Nikoderm Research will go to Lyon on April 15 toofficialize this high added-value Franco-Japanese collaboration. A signing ceremony at Lyon’s city halland a tour of CTIBiotech - Institut de Recherche en Thérapie Cellulaire - will take place in thepresence of the Japanese ambassador to France and the president of « Grand Lyon » along with
regional government officials.
This partnership is expected to generate new jobs, with the opening of the collaborative office andlaboratory CTIBiotech / Nikoderm Research, and should enable both groups to strengthen theirrespective presence in Asian and European markets.
Thanks to this agreement supported by ADERLY / Invest In Lyon, the French research institute andthe Japanese group will develop new and innovative techniques in the two partners’ areas ofexpertise. The goal: consolidate their technological advance in the acquisition of precise data onproduct safety and efficacy, in order to develop new health and beauty products.
« The partnership with CTIBiotech and the establishment of a European liaison office will allow Nikoderm
Research to develop collaborations with the academic laboratories and universities », explains Daiki KYOTANI,
General Manager at Nikoderm Research. « The objective is to remain on the cutting edge of R&D, in order todevelop innovative new models. These models will enable us to get as close as possible to real cutaneous
physiology, and facilitate the development of new active molecules that can be used in treating skin diseases(dermatology) as well as in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. »« This agreement confirms our positioning as a key player in 3-dimensional tissue engineering and the productionof humanized cellular bioassays for pharmaceutical and dermato-cosmetic research, » says Professor Colin
McGUCKIN, Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer at CTIBiotech.
« Thanks to this partnership we are expanding our outlook to new Asian markets, while Nikoderm Researchreinforces its presence in Europe. »Press contact CTIBIOTECH / NIKODERM RESEARCH:Stéphane Berstein - +33 (0)6 67 31 47 13 - stephane.berstein@actine-strategies.com

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PROGRAMFranco-Japanese research partnership
CTIBIOTECH, NIKKOL GROUP and NIKODERM RESEARCHFRIDAY APRIL 15, 2016, LYON---------------------------------

Signature at the Hôtel de Ville de Lyon from 12:00 – 2:00 pm
In the presence ofHis Excellency the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Yoichi SUZUKI
andthe President of the Lyon Metropole, Mr. Gérard COLLOMB---------------------------------

CTIBiotech will welcome the Japanese delegation from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
In the presence ofMr. Shigeru SEKINE, CEO of Nikkol Group,
Mr. Shogo SEKINE, CEO of Nikoderm Research,
Mr. Daiki KYOTANI, General Manager of Nikoderm ResearchRemarks at 4:00 pm
by

Mr. Michel FORISSIER, Senator-Mayor of Meyzieu,
Mr. Philippe MEUNIER, Deputy of the Rhône region &Vice-President of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region for international partnerships
Japanese executivesandFounders of CTIBiotech
Professeur Colin McGUCKIN, Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Nico FORRAZ, CEOAddress: Bâtiment A16, 5 Avenue Lionel Terray, MEYZIEU-LYON, 69330
Confirmation and press accreditation by email: stephane.berstein@actine-strategies.com

Press contact CTIBIOTECH / NIKODERM RESEARCH:
Stéphane Berstein - +33 (0)6 67 31 47 13 - stephane.berstein@actine-strategies.com

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Presentation of the two partners> The Japanese entity Nikkol Group is a major Asian holding with over 65 years of experience and420 employees in Japan. The group is specialized in the production of chemical ingredients fordermato-cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies. Among the 9 companies comprising the group,Nikoderm Research, created in 2003, is specialized in the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of raw
materials and products developed for skin application such as cosmetics, quasi-drugs andpharmateutical products.
The comanies belonging to Nikkol Group have developed pioneering standards of effectiveness inskin-care. The development of ingredients involves a series of tests known in the industry as the« golden game » : cell cultures (in vitro), cultured skin models (ex vivo) and actual human skin (invivo).
> Founded in 2008, CTIBiotech – Institute for research in cell therapy – has developed expertise in 3dimensional tissue engineering combining cells, biomaterial, growth factors and bioreactors for thedevelopment of innovative humanized cell models.
About CTIBIOTECH - Institut de Recherche en Thérapie Cellulaire ( www.ctibiotech.com )Founded in 2008, CTIBIOTECH is specialized in biotechnologies and particularly in research on cancer, stem cells, tissueengineering and the production of innovative cell models (in vitro et ex vivo) for biomedical, pharmaceutical and dermatocosmetic research, as well as medical devices applied to cell therapy.
CTIBIOTECH contributes to the development of new cell and regenerative therapies in order to make progress in the treatment
of diseases such as cerebral palsy, strokes, diabetes, cancer, orthopedic and cranio-facial malformations, blood diseases aswell as immune system, hepatic and cardiovascular diseases.
CTIBIOTECH implements a multi-disciplinary strategy that encourages and stimulates innovation in complementary areas:
cellular biology, genetics, biomaterials chemistry, engineering, nanotechnologies, bio-imagery, biophysics and bioethics. In
2015, the proportion of operating expenses allocated to research & development represented 80% of revenues. CTIBIOTECH
collaborates internationally with the academic and industrial sectors to develop clinical trials in regenerative medecine andagainst cancer.
Fully licensed as a biobank of human tissues and cells for scientific applications, CTIBIOTECH is certified by the regional healthagency of Rhône Alpes to host and train pharmaceutical and medical interns for semester-long internships. CTIBIOTECH trains
students and doctoral candidates in biomedical research and biotechnologies. CTIBIOTECH is an active member ofprofessional and industry associations such as Lyon Biopôle, competitiveness cluster; the AFSSI, Association Française desSociétés de Services et d’Innovation pour les Sciences de la Vie; European Center of Dermocosmetology, which promotes theactivities of regional Rhône-Alpes cosmetics companies on a national and international level.

A propos de NIKKOL GROUP et NIKODERM RESEARCH (https://www.nikkol.co.jp/en/) and (http://ndr-english.jimdo.com )Nikkol Group is a major Asian chemical holding company based in Japan. The group consists of nine companies with thecollective mission to provide to the ever-expanding chemical industry with a complete range of goods and services, from theresearch, development, and manufacture of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial chemical ingredients to performance
evaluation and application design. For many years, the group motto has been "One Stop Shopping" as an actual description of
our continuous improvement of the variety and thoroughness of our service.
First company of the group, Nikko Chemicals, established in 1946, focuses on the development of unique skin care ingredientsproviding visible results. The company develops new mechanisms and is the link between research and the application of newactive molecules. Nikko Chemicals has an open research laboratory in Tokyo, available to its customers for learning techniquesof emulsification, dispersion and solubilization, as well as basic cosmetic techniques. The company is involved in the codevelopment and creation of new products with its customers.

NIKODERM RESEARCH (NDR), created in 2003, evaluates the safety and efficacy of raw materials and products developed forskin application such as cosmetics, quasi-drugs and pharmaceutical products.
The company employs 17 people and has capital of 100 000 000 Yen.	  	  Press contact CTIBIOTECH / NIKODERM RESEARCH:
Stéphane Berstein - +33 (0)6 67 31 47 13 - stephane.berstein@actine-strategies.com

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