CALGARY, March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - SemBioSys Genetics Inc. , a biotechnology company developing a portfolio of therapeutic proteins for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, today announced that Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., made an important step forward in the commercialization of High GLA Safflower Oil. Arcadia entered into an exclusive global alliance with Bioriginal Food and Science Corp., to market and distribute High GLA Safflower Oil, an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid with proven heath benefits, as a nutritional supplement and food ingredient. SemBioSys was contracted by Arcadia to utilize Arcadia’s proprietary genes and SemBioSys’ promoters and safflower transformation technology to produce and deliver safflower seed lines containing more than 40 percent GLA. Under the agreement, SemBioSys receives milestone payments upon the successful scale-up of GLA safflower lines as well as royalties from commercial sales.
GLA (gamma linolenic acid) is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid which, along with omega-3 fatty acids, has demonstrated health benefits. GLA’s clinically-validated benefits include anti-inflammatory effects and improved skin health and appearance. Existing commercial sources of GLA, evening primrose oil and borage oil, contain 10 or 20-23 percent GLA, respectively. With a GLA content of 40 percent, Arcadia’s high-GLA safflower oil would significantly reduce the daily consumption of GLA oil capsules and make it more convenient and affordable for consumers. According to ICIS Chemical Business Americas, the U.S. market for GLA oils is currently valued at more than US$100 million. With a more convenient, more highly concentrated source of GLA, Arcadia believes the market can grow beyond this figure.
“Nutritional supplements and nutraceuticals are a growing market as health conscious consumers are increasingly choosing to augment their diet with nutrients that have proven health benefits. Arcadia’s high-GLA safflower oil is a convenient and cost-effective source of GLA compared to existing alternatives,” said Andrew Baum, President and CEO of SemBioSys.
About SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (www.sembiosys.com)
Calgary, Alberta-based SemBioSys Genetics Inc. is a biotechnology company developing protein-based pharmaceuticals for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The Company’s lead pharmaceutical candidates are recombinant human insulin to serve the rapidly expanding global diabetes market and Apo AI, a next generation cardiovascular drug. In addition to its pharmaceutical products, SemBioSys is developing a series of non-pharmaceutical products addressing human topical, nutritional oils and agricultural biotechnology markets.
About Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.
Based in Davis, Calif., with additional facilities in Seattle, Wash. and Phoenix, Ariz., Arcadia Biosciences is an agricultural biotechnology company focused on the development of agricultural products that improve the environment and enhance human health. For more information visit www.arcadiabio.com.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s ongoing filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable Canadian securities laws.
CONTACT: SemBioSys Genetics Inc., Mr. Andrew Baum, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Phone: (403) 717-8767, Fax: (403) 250-3886, E-mail:
bauma@sembiosys.com, Internet: www.sembiosys.com; Investor Relations, Ross
Marshall, The Equicom Group Inc., Phone: (416) 815-0700, (Ext. 238), Fax:
(416) 815-0080, E-mail: rmarshall@equicomgroup.com; Arcadia Biosciences,
Inc., Jeff Bergau, Phone: (312) 217-0419, E-mail:
jeff.bergau@arcadiabio.com, Internet: www.arcadiabio.com
