Due to Adverse Market Conditions Avantium Withdraws its Initial Public Offering

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, November 15 (ots/PRNewswire) -
Avantium, a leading technology company in the area of advanced
high-throughput R&D, withdraws its Initial Public Offering ("IPO")
planned for 16 November 2007 due to adverse markets. Avantium will
continue implementing its communicated strategy and closely monitor
the development of the capital markets.

Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium, said: "We have been very encouraged
by the positive reactions of institutional and retail investors to
our company and strategy. However, Avantium and its shareholders have
decided not to proceed with the planned IPO at this stage because of
sharply declining market conditions."

Company overview

Avantium, established as a spin-off from Royal Dutch Shell in
2000, has developed advanced high-throughput R&D technology. Its
proprietary technology enables the company to conduct many automated
experiments in parallel on a very small scale, providing fast and
cost effective research at superior success rates. Avantium has
demonstrated the validity and commercial viability of its unique,
patented technology and expertise by providing R&D services and tools
to its clients in the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical
industries. The company services more than 70 companies worldwide,
including many market leaders such as BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Sasol,
Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim and GlaxoSmithKline. Building on its
track record and proven technology, Avantium plans to advance its
exciting product development programs in the fields of next
generation biofuels and improved forms of existing drugs.

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For more information about this press release please contact:
Citigate First Financial, José Tijssen, Phone: +31(0)6-551-237-26,
Email: [email protected]

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