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