EAGAN, MN – November 3, 2004 – Ketan Desai, M.D., Ph.D, has been named Chief Medical Officer of Biopolymer Engineering, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel carbohydrate compounds for use in combination with cancer monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.

Dr. Desai, a board-certified immunologist and molecular biologist with extensive experience in oncology, will be responsible for the company’s clinical development program, including the development of clinical protocols and the management of clinical trials. He also has responsibility for designing and implementing pre-clinical studies for drug candidates, including mechanism of action, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, safety and toxicology.

“Dr. Desai’s experience in clinical trials management and knowledge of carbohydrate pharmaceutical development make him an excellent addition to the Biopolymer Engineering team,” said Richard G. Mueller, Biopolymer Engineering President and Chief Executive Officer.

In addition, said Daniel Conners, Chairman of Biopolymer Engineering, “The combination of Dr. Desai’s expertise as a physician and a researcher, particularly his training as an immunologist and his experience with oncology, make him well suited to lead the clinical trials of our immune-modulating compounds.”

Dr. Desai commented: “I’m excited about the opportunities at Biopolymer Engineering. We have a unique compound that can be used in therapies for cancer, infectious disease and bioterrorism.”

The company expects to begin clinical trials with its lead compound Betafectin^® next year in cancer patients, pending FDA approval.

Before joining Biopolymer Engineering, Dr. Desai was Vice President, Preclinical and Clinical Development, of Neose Technologies. Previously he was Global Clinical Director of Rheumatology at Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Director, Rheumatology, Inflammation and Oncology at SmithKline Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline). Dr. Desai earned his M.D. at the Armed Forces Medical College in India and his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from St. Louis University. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Washington University, St. Louis, and a fellowship in Clinical Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Desai’s areas of expertise include oncology, clinical immunology and rheumatology, vaccines, cell and molecular biology and virology.

About Biopolymer Engineering, Inc.
Biopolymer Engineering, Inc. is pioneering carbohydrate biotechnology to develop proprietary compounds that enhance the immune system and provide the opportunity to improve global health. Based in Eagan, Minnesota, the company has more than 40 U.S. patents and patents pending, with additional filings in more than 20 countries that protect its products and compounds. Biopolymer Engineering is developing applications for pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, functional foods, cosmetics and animal feed and nutrition. Website: www.biopolymer.com.

Contact:
David Walsh
Biopolymer Engineering, Inc.
651-256-4606