Provexis Regulatory News (PXS)

14 Nov 2007 07:00

Provexis PLC14 November 2007 PROVEXIS PLC ("Provexis" or the "Company") Provexis and Unilever renew Fruitflow(R) Exclusivity Agreement Provexis, developer of scientifically-proven functional food, dietary supplementand medical food technologies, announces that it has progressed its exclusivityagreement with Unilever plc on to look specifically at how Provexis mightdevelop a new format of its patented Fruitflow(R) heart-health technology forpotential application in Unilever's spread product portfolio. Fruitflow(R) is a patented natural extract from tomato which has been shown inhuman trials to reduce the propensity for aberrant blood clotting, typicallyassociated with cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attack orstroke. Unilever has substantial global brands in the heart-health market,primarily its Flora/Becel spreads and drinking yoghurts, which have sales inexcess of €1bn. The partners have successfully developed a pilot-scale version of the newconcentrated format over the past year, which subsequently showed positiveresults in a recent human trial. Under the terms of new agreement, which extendsfor 12 months, Provexis will now further develop this new technology to delivera product suitable for potential incorporation into vegetable-oil based fatspreads. Unilever will transfer certain manufacturing assets to Provexis tofacilitate this phase of the project. There are four sectors in which Provexis is seeking major partnerships, namely,food and dairy, beverages, products for deep vein thrombosis, and dietarysupplements and medical products. Commenting on the renewal of the collaboration agreement, Stephen Moon, CEO ofProvexis, said: "We are pleased with the progress made over the last year andare now focusing on delivering this important new format in a product suitablefor Unilever's spread range." For further information please contact: Stephen Moon, CEOProvexis plc Tel: 01753 752290 Tom Griffiths / Alasdair YounieArbuthnot Securities Tel: 020 7012 2000 Chris SteeleAdventis Financial PR Tel: 020 7034 4759 END Notes: About Unilever Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. It meets everyday needs fornutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good,look good and get more out of life. Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goodswith strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Itsportfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brandsincluding twelve €1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories inwhich the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as Flora,Bertolli, Dove, Lux, Pond's, Lynx, Sunsilk, Persil, Cif and Domestos. Unilever has around 179,000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generatedannual sales of €40 billion in 2006. For more information about Unilever and itsbrands, visit www.unilever.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange