Werum Software & Systems and Factorytalk Announce Partnership for Asia-Pacific Region

Partner Agreement to Further Extend Presence in High-Growth Pharma and Biotech Market

Lueneburg, Germany, February 22, 2005 - Werum Software & Systems AG, Germany , and Factorytalk Co., Ltd., Thailand ( Bangkok ) and Singapore , jointly announced a partnership for the Asia-Pacific region. Factorytalk will be an official distribution partner for Werum's PAS -X product suites in the area. Moreover, Factorytalk will provide local support for the deployment of PAS -X-based Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for pharma and biotech industries. This includes consultancy, integration, validation, and first level support.

Backed up by Factorytalk's excellent knowledge of the regional market the alliance will allow Werum to gain new customers for their PAS -X suite and enhance their market share throughout Asia-Pacific, especially in the high-growth South-East and North Asian markets. The relationship will also strengthen Werum's top position in the global pharma and biotech MES sector.

Werum's products offer a broad functionality for all aspects related to the processing of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals from R&D, CT via manufacturing to packaging. Their field-tested software product suites PAS -X PHARMA and PAS -X BIOTECH PAS -X provide an integrated, paperless software solution to streamline the manufacturing process, improve product quality, shorten product cycle times, increase equipment efficiency, and assure FDA and GMP compliance within regulated environments. The latest software module PAS -CAPA strengthens product quality assurance beyond manufacturing with functions for Deviation Management, Corrective and Preventive Actions, and Complaint Management. The new product suite PAS -X CT for the management of Clinical Trials includes special CT functionality for study scheduling, manufacturing and packaging, labelling, and shipping.

"By partnering with Factorytalk, pharma and biotech companies in the region will get access to solutions that streamline manufacturing operations and lead to minimized compliance risk, increased throughput, and lower production costs," said Hartmut Krome, Chairman of the Executive Board at Werum. "We are convinced that the Asia-Pacific customers will recognize the particular benefits of our cooperation. Our partnership merges market leading expertise, solutions, and services."

"Werum has shown an exceptional understanding of the business needs of life science customers. Their PAS -X MES products are one of the few solutions to support a truly paperless batch record" commented Priyaporn Kobut, Managing Director at Factorytalk. "As one of the top MES suppliers Werum has proven their excellent ability to manage and carry out large international MES projects and global rollouts backed up by an excellent product."