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SemBioSys awarded key U.S. patent for the production of insulin in plants

^{Published on 2009-07-30 04:05:36, Last Modified on 2009-07-30 04:05:45 - Market Wire}
 

 TSX symbol: SBS CALGARY, July 30 /CNW/ - SemBioSys Genetics Inc. ("SemBioSys") (TSX:SBS) today announced that it has been granted U.S. patent US 7,547,821 entitled "Methods for the Production of Insulin in Plants". The granted claims of the patent are directed to a method for the commercial production of insulin in plant seeds. "This patent further strengthens our unique proprietary position on the production of high-value pharmaceuticals using plants. Human insulin is currently the world's largest-volume protein pharmaceutical and is an ideal target for our oilbody-oleosin technology platform," said James Szarko, President and CEO of SemBioSys. "The issuance of this patent ensures our exclusivity to commercialize our insulin-production technology in the U.S. and offers competitive advantages to potential partners who wish to supply the expanding diabetes market." A counterpart to the U.S. patent US 7,547,821 was issued in Europe last year, and corresponding patents are pending in many jurisdictions worldwide including Canada, Australia, Japan, China, India and Mexico. The Company also recently completed a successful phase I/II clinical trial of its plant-made insulin in the first quarter of 2009. The trial represented the first plant-made insulin ever injected into human subjects. The results proved bioequivalence between SemBioSys' plant-made insulin and Humulin(R) R, Eli Lilly's widely-used recombinant human insulin. About SemBioSys Calgary, Alberta-based SemBioSys is a world leader in manufacturing high-value proteins and oils in plant seeds. With its unique proprietary platform, SemBioSys provides partners with product enablement, exceptionally low cost and unprecedented scalability. The Company applies this platform with high selectivity to opportunities where it has a unique competitive advantage. Since its inception, SemBioSys has produced more than 50 non-native proteins and oils using its patented seed technology, demonstrating applicability across a broad range of industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care and industrial products. The Company's current pharmaceutical development programs include insulin (SBS-1000, regulated as a biosimilar in Europe) and Apo AI(Milano), a next-generation cardiovascular therapy. SemBioSys is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker SBS. More information is available at [ www.sembiosys.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 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 and market size, the acceptance of an IND by the FDA in respect of clinical studies, the submission of a CTA to the appropriate European authorities, the successful initiation and timely and successful completion of clinical studies, the fact that Apo AI(Milano) is currently a development stage drug, 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.

For further information: SemBioSys Genetics Inc., Abby Garfunkel, Investor Relations, Phone: (403) 717-4185, E-mail: [ garfunkela@sembiosys.com ]; The Trout Group, Christine Labaree, Managing Director, Phone: (617) 583-1307, E-mail: [ clabaree@troutgroup.com ]; The Equicom Group Inc., Ross Marshall, Vice President, Phone: (416) 815-0700 ext. 238, E-mail: [ rmarshall@equicomgroup.com ]