Vaccine Improvement Patent Awarded to iBio

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NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 05/04/15 -- iBio, Inc. (NYSE MKT: IBIO) a leader in plant-based biotechnology for developing and manufacturing biological products, today announced the issue of a new U.S. patent expanding the company's iBioModulator™ thermostable immunomodulator protein portfolio. The new patent, serial number 9,012,199, is entitled "Recombinant Carrier Molecule for Expression, Delivery, and Purification of Target Polypeptides." The fundamental composition of matter claims grant iBio important exclusivity over new, modified carrier molecules derived from the company's proprietary iBioModulator™ thermostable immunomodulator protein system and their use with one or more target proteins or antigens.

The commercial significance of these proprietary carriers is that they enable creation of high-performance vaccine candidates for difficult disease targets. The iBioModulator™ thermostable immunomodulator protein platform has been shown to significantly improve the immune response to a vaccine in two important ways. It increases the strength of the initial immune response to a vaccine antigen (as measured by antibody titer) and extends the duration of the immune response. Generating a stronger immune response and prolonged immunity without booster inoculations adds significant value to a vaccine by reducing the overall costs and logistical difficulties of its use. These improvements may also enable a government or commercial producer to achieve and maintain protection of more of a vaccine's target population.

The iBioModulator™ thermostable immunomodulator protein platform, including the technology covered by this new patent, is applicable to biopharmaceutical products developed with iBio's proprietary iBioLaunch™ plant-based gene expression system and can also be used with other protein expression systems. iBio offers the benefits of its technology through licenses and also offers technology transfer arrangements for clients interested in fully autonomous manufacturing capabilities.

The new patent joins iBio's other patents in this family in the US (8,173,408, 8,591,909), and also patents in international markets of interest to iBio and its clients, including Australia, Canada, China, India, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom. Patents covering the iBioModulator™ thermostable immunomodulator protein platform are directly related to that part of iBio's larger portfolio of intellectual property relevant to the development and manufacture of vaccines for a range of infectious diseases including plague, anthrax, human papilloma virus, and influenza. This immunomodulator portfolio includes vaccine product patents in the US (8,124,103, 8,277,816, 8,404,252, 8,945,580) and internationally.

About iBio, Inc.

iBio is developing proprietary products for the treatment of a range of fibrotic diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, and scleroderma. IBIO-CFB03, produced using the company's iBioLaunch™ gene expression platform, is the first product candidate from this program designated for IND development. The company also offers proprietary products and product licenses to others, based on its proprietary iBioLaunch™ gene expression and iBioModulator™ thermostable immunomodulator protein platforms, providing collaborators full support for turn-key implementation of its technology for protein therapeutics and vaccines. In Brazil, iBio has formed a subsidiary company, iBio do Brasil Biofarmaceutical Ltda., and has been collaborating with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) since 2011 to develop a recombinant yellow fever vaccine based on iBio technology.

The iBioLaunch™ gene expression platform is a proprietary, transformative technology for development and production of biologics using transient gene expression in unmodified green plants. The iBioModulator™ platform is complementary to the iBioLaunch™ gene expression platform and is designed to significantly improve vaccine products with both higher potency and greater duration of effect. Further information is available at: www.ibioinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE RELATED TO IBIO, INC. MAY CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. SUCH STATEMENTS INVOLVE A NUMBER OF RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES SUCH AS COMPETITIVE FACTORS, TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, MARKET DEMAND, AND THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO OBTAIN NEW CONTRACTS AND ACCURATELY ESTIMATE NET REVENUES DUE TO VARIABILITY IN SIZE, SCOPE AND DURATION OF PROJECTS. FURTHER INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND IN THE COMPANY'S REPORTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

Source: iBio, Inc.

Released May 4, 2015