VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Burcon
NutraScience Corporation (TSX - BU) announced today that the
company has entered into a license agreement with Archer Daniels
Midland Company ("ADM") for the worldwide production, distribution
and sale of Burcon's CLARISOY(R) soy protein. CLARISOY is a unique
soy protein product that is 100 percent soluble, transparent and
very low in viscosity in low pH (acidic) beverages. Use of CLARISOY
allows for the production of transparent, protein fortified
beverages such as juices, soft drinks and sport drinks in the low
pH range.
The license agreement gives ADM exclusive rights across all
geographic regions and all potential product applications to
produce, market and sell CLARISOY soy protein.
"We are excited to bring CLARISOY to market," said Bruce T. Bennett, general manager of Protein
Specialties for ADM. "CLARISOY's potential in the global protein
ingredient industry will be well served through our license
agreement with Burcon. The versatility of CLARISOY complements our
current product portfolio and increases application opportunities
for our customers."
"Burcon is thrilled to work with ADM in commercializing
CLARISOY. ADM's demonstrated excellence in the production and sale
of food ingredients makes the company the ideal partner to
commercialize CLARISOY soy protein," commented Johann F. Tergesen, president and COO of
Burcon.
ADM will make royalty payments to Burcon on the sales of
CLARISOY under the twenty-year license agreement. The maintenance
of the CLARISOY soy protein patent portfolio during the term of the
license agreement will be the responsibility of Burcon.
Today's announcement marks a watershed development for Burcon as
the commercialization of CLARISOY provides Burcon with its first
earnings stream.
About CLARISOY(R)
CLARISOY(R) soy protein is 100 percent soluble and completely
transparent in low pH ("acidic") solutions. CLARISOY is also heat
stable, allowing thermal processing such as hot fill without any
loss of clarity or notable change in viscosity. In addition to its
use in ready-to-drink beverages, CLARISOY may also be used to
fortify powdered beverages. CLARISOY may also be used in a variety
of food applications beyond beverages as a result of its superior
flavor profile.
About Burcon NutraScience
Burcon is a leader in nutrition, health and wellness in the
field of functional, renewable plant proteins. Since 1999, Burcon
has developed a portfolio of composition, application, and process
patents originating from our core protein extraction and
purification technology. We are developing Puratein(R) and
Supertein(TM) canola protein isolates with unique functional and
nutritional attributes, and CLARISOY(R), a revolutionary soy
protein which is 100% soluble and completely transparent in acidic
solutions. Our team of highly specialized scientists and engineers
work from our own research facility to develop and optimize
environmentally sound technologies. To-date, our patent portfolio
consists of 151 issued patents in various countries, including 25
issued U.S. patents, and in excess of 250 additional pending patent
applications, 65 of which are U.S. patent applications.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Johann F. Tergesen"
Johann F. Tergesen
President and Chief Operating Officer
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy of the content of the information contained herein.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate
to, among other things, plans and timing for the introduction or
enhancement of our products, statements about future market
conditions, supply and demand conditions, and other expectations,
intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not
historical fact. Our expectations regarding the prospect for future
success depend upon our ability to develop and sell products, which
we do not produce today and cannot be sold without further research
and development. When used in this press release, the words "goal",
"intend", "believes" and "potential" and similar expressions,
generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements
reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties. In light of the many risks and
uncertainties surrounding the development of a source of protein
from canola meal, you should understand that we cannot assure you
that the forward looking statements contained in this press release
will be realized.
For further information:
Jade Cheng, Chief Financial Officer
Burcon NutraScience Corporation
+1(604)733-0896 / +1(888)408-7960 toll-free
jcheng@burcon.ca
http://www.burcon.ca
(BU.)