Leading Biotech Company Will Become First to Locate in New Research Park

Market Wire, August, 2006

The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center ( OARDC ) of The Ohio State University today announced that Ganeden Biotech, Inc. has committed to becoming the first company to have a presence in OARDC's breakthrough research and business development venture known as BioHio.

OARDC, based in Wooster, Ohio, is the largest and most comprehensive agbioscience research institution of its kind in the United States. Part of what OARDC offers the business world is its team of specialized commercialization professionals, known as ATECH and BioHio -- a unique, planned, agbioscience research park. Ganeden will have swift access to OARDC's world-class research organization and its more than 260 scientists. The resources Ganeden needs in order to grow, as well as the access to global markets that it requires will, literally, be just outside of Ganeden's door. "Cultivating business-based relationships with companies such as Ganeden Biotech is precisely what we set out to accomplish with BioHio," according to Dr. F. William Ravlin, Associate Director of OARDC. "It's more than a location. It's also a research-based business development culture, access to leading edge discoveries, proximity to a broad range of resources and new way for the corporate world and the university world to work together."

Ganeden Biotech is quickly becoming a force in the burgeoning global market of probiotics . Most people know of antibiotics and the impact they have had on the planet's plants, animals and people. Probiotics focus on the development and introduction of healthy, naturally occurring bacteria, enzymes and cultures into products so that natural defenses and immunities are encouraged to develop.

Today, Ganeden's products can be found in more than 40,000 stores nationwide and provide treatments for diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Lactose Intolerance, Crohn's & Colitis, Arthritis and Psoriasis, among others. With headquarters in Mayfield Heights, Ohio and research facilities in Miami, Florida, Ganeden had the choice of many location options as part of its growth strategy. "Partnering with OARDC gives us complete access to research, resources, proximity to markets and a wide network of commercial opportunities," said Andrew Lefkowitz, president of Ganeden Biotech. "Ultimately, we know this relationship will benefit us all and further accelerate our growth as well as bring more prominence to the wealth of talent within the state."

Playing an important role in this decision is Omeris, an organization known for its ability to accelerate bioscience discovery, innovation and commercialization. With its roots in the Thomas Edison Program of the Ohio Department of Development, Omeris understood how to tap the resources of the state for the good of Ganeden. So, when Ganeden executives said they needed access to research and scientists as well as proximity to markets and resources, Omeris knew where to look. Omeris Vice President John F. Lewis, Jr. thinks this collaborative approach is a model to be replicated. "Ohio has tremendous bioscience assets, companies and research across the state," he said. "One of our roles at Omeris is to make Ohio organizations aware of opportunities and resources right here in our backyard. As Ganeden can attest, there are few business reasons to seek partners and resources elsewhere."

BioHio's growth plans call for it to occupy a 94 acre site adjacent to the OARDC Wooster, Ohio research campus. Beginning with Ganeden Biotech, the park will provide unprecedented research and development opportunities for firms developing commercial breakthroughs in areas such as biofuels, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, animal health, infectious diseases and food safety.

About Ganeden Biotech

Founded in 1997, Ganeden Biotech is a consumer healthcare company that features a popular line of over-the-counter, once-daily products under the Digestive Advantage brand, including its extremely popular treatments for IBS and lactose intolerance. All of Ganeden's oral products contain a powerful, patented strain of healthy bacteria, known as Ganeden Lactobacillus(TM) cultures, which work within the intestinal ecosystem to normalize digestive function and combat a variety of disorders and diseases. Ganeden also makes Arthritis Advantage, Dermal Advantage for Psoriasis and Clearly Confident foot care treatments. Ganeden Biotech is dedicated to improving peoples' quality of life through continued consumer and physician education and researching and developing new products. More than 40,000 retail stores nationwide as well as major internet retailers carry Ganeden's products. For more information, visit http://www.ganedenbiotech.com .

About Omeris

Omeris is a non-profit organization supported by the Thomas Edison Program of the Ohio Department of Development. Its mission is to accelerate bioscience discovery, innovation and commercialization of global value, driving economic growth, and improving quality of life in Ohio. Omeris is headquartered in Columbus, with regional business development affiliates in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Athens. For more information, visit http://www.omeris.org .