Biopure Gives Update on Malaysia Joint Venture D...( CAMBRIDGE Mass. Aug. 22 /- Biopur...)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Biopure Corporation (Nasdaq: BPUR) announced today the status of discussions with Malaysia about a possible joint venture. The possibility of such a venture was described by a Malaysian government official to the Malaysian national news agency Bernama in early July.

As indicated in the July statements in Malaysia, Biopure and officials representing public and private interests in Malaysia have been in discussions related to a possible joint venture between the company and a Malaysian entity under the Malaysian Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation.

The Malaysian Ministry has expressed to Biopure its wish to pursue a Hemopure joint venture licensing agreement for Malaysia and certain other countries in Asia upon Biopure's receipt of marketing authorization for Hemopure in the United Kingdom. The investment as discussed, would be well over $100 million. The following broad terms have been discussed:

-- A direct investment in Biopure common stock-up to 19.9% of the company.

-- Licensing rights for Hemopure(R).

-- The funding by Malaysia of a joint venture company to be owned by

Biopure and a Malaysian entity.

-- A large-scale plant for manufacturing Hemopure in Malaysia, at an

estimated cost in excess of $100 million, with government financing.

Many details and final agreements must still be reached between Biopure and Malaysia should the company receive U.K. market approval for Hemopure. Malaysia has conducted business, medical and regulatory due diligence, including diligence in the United States and South Africa.

Biopure continues to believe there is a reasonable chance that Hemopure can be app
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