WASHINGTON, DC – November 19, 2002 – Biopolymer Engineering, Inc. (BEI) and The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. have entered into a joint research agreement with the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) to determine the radio protective benefits of BEI’s patented beta 1,3 glucans and to work together toward the anticipated implementation of the research.

Radiation exposure destroys the bone marrow and depletes the white blood cells that defend against infection and disease. In preclinical research, AFRRI has demonstrated that systemic yeast beta 1,3 glucans enhanced mouse resistance to sub-lethal and lethal doses of radiation. Beta glucan stimulated bone marrow recovery of white blood cells and increased their infection-fighting activity.

Under the new research agreement, Biopolymer Engineering and AFRRI will conduct a series of studies over the next 180 days to determine the safety and efficacy of orally administered WGP Beta Glucan to protect animals against radiation and infectious disease. If this preclinical research is successful, the joint team will execute a plan to develop WGP Beta Glucan formulations that can be used in state and federal programs designed to protect U.S. government employees, military personnel and citizens from national disasters.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization chartered by Congress to support military medical research and education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and throughout military medicine. Website: www.hjf.org.

The Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, is a triservice research laboratory chartered in 1961 whose focus is developing potential products in the field of radiobiology and related matters essential to the operational and medical support of the U.S. Department of Defense and the military services. AFRRI’s mission is to develop products that may protect military personnel against radiation-induced immunosuppression and infectious disease. Website: www.afrri.usuhs.mil/.

Biopolymer Engineering, Inc. is a leading biotechnology company in the field of natural complex carbohydrates or biopolymers. The company is developing carbohydrate-based products for a wide range of therapeutic, consumer and industrial applications. Founded in 1997 and based in Eagan, Minnesota, the company has built a strong technology platform of patented and proprietary intellectual property relating to its carbohydrate-based products. Website: www.biopolymer.com.

For more information contact:

Peter B. Esker                                   David Walsh 
Uniformed Services University           Biopolymer Engineering, Inc.
301-295-1219                                   651-675-0300   
pesker@usuhs.mil                             dwalsh@biopolymer.com