Expert Panel Approval

Provexis PLC 09 March 2006 PROVEXIS PLC ('Provexis' or the 'Company') FruitflowTM has GRAS status affirmed in the United States Provexis, the nutraceutical company that develops scientifically-proven functional and medical foods, announces that an independent Expert Panel in the United States has affirmed FruitflowTM to be Generally Recognised as Safe ('GRAS'), paving the way for products containing FruitflowTM to be marketed in the United States and Canada. The Expert Panel agreed that the components of FruitflowTM have a long history of consumption as part of the normal diet and would be consumed at levels that are comparable to those that are possible from the consumption of other tomato-based food products. Furthermore, clinical studies have demonstrated that FruitflowTM is without adverse effects and well-tolerated. In the United Kingdom, SircoTM heart health juice drink is the first heart health product to contain the patented FruitflowTM technology. FruitflowTM works by reducing blood platelet aggregation ('thinning the blood'), a significant contributing factor to a thrombosis (internal blood clot) which can lead to heart attack or stroke. SircoTM, which was launched in the UK in January 2006, is currently available in selected Tesco, Sainsbury and Waitrose stores. The GRAS affirmation of FruitflowTM is a significant development for Provexis as it continues to implement its strategy of commercialising FruitflowTM in the United States by securing licensing arrangements with global food and drink corporations. A Mintel report published in August 2005 estimated the market for heart healthy products in the US was worth $18.7bn and this market is forecast to grow by 16% by 2010. Commenting on the news, Dr Stephen Franklin, CEO of Provexis, said: 'We are delighted that FruitFlowTM has been affirmed GRAS as this represents the essential precursor to unlocking the substantial commercial opportunities available in North America. With our existing clearance in Europe, we now have access to our two primary target markets which we intend to realise via our licensing strategy.' For further information please contact: Provexis plc Dr Stephen Franklin 020 8392 6631 Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial Emma Kent 020 7861 3232 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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