Collaboration agreement

Provexis PLC 30 March 2007 30 March 2007 PROVEXIS PLC ('Provexis' or the 'Company') Provexis and Unilever to co-develop Fruitflow(R) technology for application in food products that benefit healthy blood flow Provexis, developer of scientifically-proven functional and medical foods, announces that it has entered into a long-term collaboration agreement with Unilever plc to develop a new format of its patented Fruitflow(R) heart-health technology for application in Unilever's Food product portfolio. Fruitflow(R) is a patented natural extract from tomato which has been shown in human trials to reduce the propensity for aberrant blood clotting, typically associated with cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Unilever has substantial global brands in the heart-health market, primarily its Flora/Becel spreads and drinking yoghurts. In 2005 the market for heart benefit foods was worth $4bn globally. Under the terms of the agreement, Provexis and Unilever (the 'Partners') will develop a second-generation concentrated format of the Fruitflow(R) product for inclusion in Unilever branded products. Subject to clearance of various technical, regulatory and economic issues, the Partners plan to enter into a global licence arrangement for the Fruitflow(R) technology. In addition to the development of the new format, the Partners will also seek to develop other new intellectual property in further related products and processes during the course of the collaboration. In the event of a Fruitflow(R) technology licence agreement not being concluded for any technical, regulatory or economic reason, the collaboration on new intellectual property will continue for a further three years. Under the scope of the collaboration agreement and any subsequent licence agreement, Provexis will grant exclusive rights for certain food and beverage categories to Unilever, while retaining exclusive global rights to commercialise Fruitflow(R) in drinks (excluding mini-drinks) containing fruit juice; products marketed for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), over the counter medicines, medical foods, dietary supplements and prescribed medical products. Categories outside of the exclusive rights granted are available to Unilever on a non-exclusive basis. Commenting on the signing of the collaboration agreement, Stephen Moon, CEO of Provexis, said: 'This collaboration agreement represents very significant progress in our extensive joint development work with our partner, Unilever. The joint project team is fully engaged in the process of developing the new format and the associated supply chain, and is making good progress. Given Unilever's strong global heart-health brands and the potential licensing revenues flowing from a successful collaboration, this is a very important development for Provexis and one which underpins our long-term strategy of discovering, developing and licensing world-class functional and medical food technologies.' Jim Busby, Vice President Unilever Foods R&D (Spreads & Cooking Product Category), commented: 'Heart-health is and always has been a strong focus area for Unilever. Through open innovation agreements like this, Unilever ensures access to the latest scientific and technological advances in heart health. Once we have performed our standard safety and efficacy tests for the application of the tomato extract in our products and we have set up a cost-effective supply chain, we will seek to use this natural heart healthy ingredient in our global Foods portfolio.' For further information please contact: Stephen Moon, CEO Provexis plc Tel: 020 8392 6631 Tom Griffiths / Alasdair Younie Arbuthnot Securities Tel: 020 7012 2000 END Notes: About Unilever Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, 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 goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands including twelve €1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in which 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 generated annual sales of €40 billion in 2006. For more information about Unilever and its brands, visit www.unilever.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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