Mr. Gilles Gagnon reports

CEAPRO ANNOUNCES POSITIVE FINDINGS DEMONSTRATING OAT DERIVED BETA GLUCAN AND AVENANTHRAMIDES PROMOTE WOUND HEALING AND TISSUE REGENERATION

Ceapro Inc. has released positive results from a research collaboration with the Angiogenesis Foundation conducted with colleagues at the University of Arizona. The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo bioactivity of Ceapro products on angiogenesis, wound healing, tissue repair and regeneration.

The study was based on key learnings from an earlier in vitro study where researchers from the foundation demonstrated that Ceapro's AVE (avenanthramides) and BG (beta glucan) stimulate proliferation of vascular endothelial cells (angiogenesis), which is a critical step in wound healing.

Results from the current in vivo study showed that both 1-per-cent AVE and 1-per-cent BG treatment resulted in earlier wound closure in mice compared with controls. Tissue analysis revealed that:

• 1-per-cent AVE treatment resulted in decreased tissue inflammation and the healed tissue had less scarring and an architecture more resembling normal tissue compared with that of scar tissue after control treatment.
• 1-per-cent BG-treated tissue exhibited more microvessels (angiogenesis) and the presence of endothelial progenitor cells, compared with control mice. BG treatment also resulted in increased collagen fibre width and length, more resembling normal tissue architecture compared with scar tissue after control treatment.

The researchers concluded that oat-based bioactives BG and AV exhibited potential to improve regenerative wound healing, reduce inflammation, promote angiogenesis and reduce scar formation.

Gilles Gagnon, president and chief executive officer of Ceapro, stated: "We are excited with these positive results showing efficacy of our two value drivers, beta glucan and avenanthramides. These results will support additional claims for these products currently used in well-known cosmetic formulations while opening doors for Ceapro in the large and well-established wound healing and tissue regeneration markets, further positioning Ceapro in dermatology. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the expert team at the Angiogenesis Foundation and their network of worldwide renowned researchers who pioneered the development of various therapies to treat angiogenesis-based conditions."

About Ceapro Inc.

Ceapro is a Canadian biotechnology company involved in the development of proprietary extraction technology and the application of this technology to the production of extracts and active ingredients from oats and other renewable plant resources. Ceapro adds further value to its extracts by supporting their use in cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and therapeutics products for humans and animals. The company has a broad range of expertise in natural product chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology and process engineering. These skills merge in the fields of active ingredients, biopharmaceuticals and drug-delivery solutions.