P&G Signs a Master Collaboration Agreement for Joint Research and Development with the Hebrew University

JERUSALEM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Procter & Gamble, the world's largest fast moving consumer goods company, signed a master collaboration agreement with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem through Yissum, its technology transfer office.

"This collaboration agreement is the first of its kind for P&G in Israel and an important next step that follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2010 between P&G and the Office of Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Trade & Industry of Israel. The agreement with the Hebrew University allows P&G scientists and research leaders to partner on a new level with Hebrew University faculty and researchers in areas such as biology, chemistry, colloid and surface science to drive cutting-edge innovations that have the potential to impact a wide range of P&G's global product categories," said Jeff Hamner, P&G's Vice President Corporate R&D.

"We are extremely excited to partner with a company in the scope and leadership of Procter & Gamble. This collaboration is a testimony to the level and diversity of the breakthrough science performed at the Hebrew University, Israel's leading university," said Yaacov Michlin, CEO of Yissum. "We sincerely believe that this collaboration will benefit both sides, and are looking forward to enjoying its outcomes in the years to come. "

Procter & Gamble has a portfolio of 23 billion-dollar brands. The company is a world leader in personal care, hygiene, snacks and home care and employs 127,000 people worldwide. Procter & Gamble's annual turnover is $80 billion.

Procter & Gamble operates with a local office in Israel since 2001 and in 2007 the company established P&G Israel House of Innovation (IHI), its open innovation center in Israel. P&G IHI works to identify and form partnerships with entrepreneurs, researchers and companies which develop breakthrough technologies in areas relevant to P&G business.

General Manager of Procter & Gamble in Israel, Ms. Sophie Blum said today: “The collaboration agreement between P&G and the Hebrew University is a great proof of Israel's leadership in science and technology. Over the last few years, P&G has chosen to source innovation from Israel as one of the world's leading innovation ecosystems and has created its open innovation center in Israel – Israel House of Innovation (IHI). The agreement will enable P&G to enjoy the breadth of research done at the Hebrew University and collaborate on creating innovative products that improve the lives of people around the world.”

About Procter & Gamble

P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company's leadership brands include Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®. With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About the Hebrew University

The Hebrew University, Israel's leading academic institution, carries out more than 1/3 of all academic scientific research in Israel and 43% of its biotech research. Overall, there are 23,500 students enrolled at the University, including 6,900 master's degree students and 2,700 doctoral candidates, studying in 5 campuses and 7 different faculties.

About Yissum

Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. was founded in 1964 to protect and commercialize the Hebrew University's intellectual property. Ranked among the top technology transfer companies in the world, Yissum has registered over 7,000 patents covering 2,023 inventions; has licensed out 530 technologies and has spun-off 72 companies. Products that are based on Hebrew University technologies and were commercialized by Yissum generate today over $2 Billion in annual sales. Yissum's business partners span the globe and include companies such as Syngenta, Vilmorin, Monsanto, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Merck, Teva, Google, Adobe, Phillips and many more. For further information please visit www.yissum.co.il.