Integrated BioTherapeutics Inc. (IBT), a biotechnology company developing medical countermeasures for biodefense and emerging infectious diseases, this afternoon celebrated the expansion of their Bioservices capacity with the Grand Opening of a new 10,500 square foot office and lab space in the Gaithersburg Accelerator, located at 21 Firstfield Road.

Rather than the traditional contract research organization approach, IBT Bioservices offers a unique “scientists helping scientists” perspective, and an accelerated turn-around timeframe. Offering antiviral and antimicrobial screening services to drug developers, IBT screens hundreds of small molecule antiviral drug candidates in vitro and then transitions the lead compounds into animal models to perform proof of concept studies.

“We are excited to launch this next stage of our research and grateful for the support of the Montgomery County community in our expansion,” said Dr. M. Javad Aman, IBT President and Chief Scientific Officer.

The new facility features a dedicated suite of labs to support IBT’s research and development for a multivalent vaccine for Staph aureus infection, with an anticipated completion of proof of concept preclinical studies for 2 of the components of the vaccine in 2011. The company received a $600,000 grant from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in 2010 to develop one component of this vaccine, a bivalent Panton Valentine Leukocidin vaccine and filed a patent on a second component in 2011.

“The expansion of Integrated BioTherapeutics’ corporate headquarters into the Gaithersburg Accelerator is a win-win-win for all involved,” said Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Director Steve Silverman. “A company that expands their facility, adds jobs and credits their local government, community and impressive new facility for contributing to that success is the exact model of strategic economic development we love to see, and we will work to emulate this model across all sectors of business in Montgomery County.”

IBT currently has 30 full-time employees and plans to add an additional 5-10 employees within the next year. It joins fellow Montgomery County biotech company Zyngenia, who moved into the Gaithersburg Accelerator last Mach.

The new, larger facility will also help support IBT’s ongoing efforts to develop a multivalent Filovirus vaccine, currently funded by NIAID. The facility offers dedicated labs for quality control, vaccine production, tissue culture, and assay development.

IBT was named “Maryland’s 2009 Emerging Company of the Year” by the Tech Council of Maryland, which recognized the company’s tremendous growth in funding and personnel, and its strong relationships with the U.S. Government and industry partners.

About Integrated BioTherapeutics Inc:
Integrated BioTherapeutics Inc (IBT) is an emerging research-based company dedicated to development of vaccines, immunotherapeutics, and discovery of small molecules targeting emerging infectious agents. IBT is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. IBT has a portfolio of proprietary recombinant technologies for development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics against major biodefense and emerging infectious agents, with an emphasis on staphylococcal, and streptococcal infections, as well as viral hemorrhagic fevers. IBT has experience and a close working arrangement with many of the United States government agencies including the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Department of Defense (DOD). Furthermore, IBT has established cooperative working relationships with several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for development of joint products for prevention and treatment of staphylococcal infections and viral hemorrhagic fevers. For more information about IBT, please visit www.integratedbiotherapeutics.com.

About the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development
The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development is charged with implementing the County’s economic development vision of being a globally-competitive, highly-diversified and knowledge-based economy that provides for the retention and growth of existing companies, stimulates new job creation and enhances entrepreneurial opportunities for all businesses. The Department offers a broad range of programs, services, partnering opportunities and strategic financing resources to stimulate and expand the County’s business, job and tax base. To learn more, visit www.smartmontgomery.com.