Portfolio Updates

PROVEXIS GETS HEART CHARITY ENDORSEMENT FOR NEW PRODUCT

16 August 2005

Provexis plc, has entered into an initial three-year agreement with the registered heart health charity, H.E.A.R.T UK, which will see formal approval of the Company's lead product, the fruit drink Sirco®. In addition, the two organisations will collaborate in research and educational activities designed to increase awareness of family heart health issues amongst the public.

Sirco®, carrying the H.E.A.R.T UK logo, will initially be available in two flavours and the Company is currently planning, with major retailers, a national UK launch later in 2005. The Sirco® packaging will show that the product "Helps to maintain a healthy heart and benefits the circulation".

Sirco® contains the patented fruit extract called FruitflowT, which was discovered at the Rowett Research Institute in 1998 and since 2000, has been developed and clinically tested in human trails by Provexis.

FruitflowT contains a range of tasteless tomato-derived natural compounds which have been proven to inhibit platelet aggregation, a part of the blood-clotting process which can cause heart attack and stroke.

Sirco® is being launched into a new, emerging category in the UK - 'heart-healthy', functional juices. This category first emerged in the US in the last two years, with rapid growth to 2004 sales of some £100.1 million, according to Information Resources Inc. data.

Dr Stephen Franklin, CEO of Provexis, said, "The approval granted by H.E.A.R.T UK is excellent news, and we look forward to working together in a proactive manner to promote heart health. Our strategy is to differentiate ourselves in the functional food industry by investing in R&D and developing products that taste great, deliver proven health benefits and carry credible health claims supported by strong scientific proof".

Michael Livingston, Director of H.E.A.R.T UK said, "The Charity is delighted to be embarking on a long-term partnership with Provexis plc to help people take proactive steps to reduce their risk of heart disease".