Bend Research and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Enter New Scientific Collaboration --Bend to Provide Novel Formulation Development and Manufacturing Services for Specific Vertex-led Projects and Clinical Trials

BEND, Oregon, November 9, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Bend Research Inc., a company with more than 30 years of experience in applying innovative pharmaceutical technologies to help clients solve their most difficult scientific and technical problems, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a global biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, MA.

Through this new collaboration, Vertex will utilize Bend's formulation development and manufacturing services for specific projects and clinical trials, with the goals of both enhancing the delivery of Vertex compounds and supporting the progression of certain Vertex product candidates through clinical development.

The collaboration between Bend Research and Vertex is designed to leverage the fundamental scientific capabilities of each company to solve formulation and process-development challenges and to produce commercial drug products that are optimized for therapeutic benefit.

"It's a great opportunity for both companies," Bend Research CEO Rod Ray explained. "We are excited to be working with Vertex. We share their commitment to delivering breakthrough therapies based on cutting-edge science. Having two great teams working side by side is a powerful combination - we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship." Vertex's Executive Vice President of Global Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer, Peter Mueller, added, "Our collaboration with Bend Research exemplifies Vertex's commitment to the treatment of serious diseases through cutting-edge science and innovative technologies. We believe Bend's technologies and expertise will provide Vertex with important scientific capabilities that will support our drug development efforts." Bend Research is making its multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers available to companies for solving tough formulation and development problems.

Bend Research prides itself in offering fast, innovative solutions.

Since late 2008, Bend Research has been rapidly expanding its line-up of industrial partners. Customers that have benefitted from Bend Research's proprietary technology and unique formulation expertise include some two dozen major pharmaceutical companies, mid-size pharmas, and biotech companies around the globe.

About Bend Research Inc.

Bend Research has more than 30 years of experience in helping clients solve their most difficult scientific and technical problems. This success is based on the company's ability to develop, advance and commercialize pharmaceutical technologies. The firm develops innovative drug-delivery solutions from a solid base of fundamental understanding. Bend Research provides formulation and dosage-form support, assists in process development and optimization, manufactures clinical trial quantities of drug candidates in its cGMP facility, and advances promising drug candidates from conception through to commercialization.

The company's flexible, client-focused business model and collaborative approach to working with its customers enable long-term alliances with clients focused on value creation.

Bend Research has more than 140 employees based in three state-of-the-art facilities in Bend, Oregon, USA.

About Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small-molecule drugs for serious diseases. The company's strategy is to commercialize products independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is focused on viral diseases, cystic fibrosis, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and pain.

Contact: Dana Settell Bend Research Inc.

64550 Research Road Bend, OR 97701 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] SOURCE Bend Research Inc.

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