Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL, Swiss Exchange: CRX) today announced the start of a marketing and distribution agreement with Sanquin, the Dutch Blood Supply Foundation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Crucell will get exclusive distribution rights of Cofact® - Sanquin's prothrombin complex of blood factors II, VII, IX and X which is currently in MRP (mutual recognition procedure) registration - in a number of Crucell's key markets including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain and Italy. Crucell will also have a right of first refusal for China, Korea and a number of Eastern European countries.

Crucell's Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Brus said: "This deal complements the distribution agreement that is in place with Talecris since April 2007. Both deals are in line with our protein strategy to enhance Crucell's market presence with plasma derived products."

Cofact® is a market leading product in the Netherlands and Belgium with approximately € 10 million in sales annually in these countries alone. The European market is estimated to amount up to € 100 million. Cofact® is aimed at promoting blood-clotting for patients treated with anti-coagulants that have bleeding as a result of trauma or urgent surgery, or for prophylactically treating patients with Factor II, VII and X deficiencies.