Agritope Awarded Another Plant Biotechnology Patent.

Business Editors, Biotechnology/Agriculture Writers

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 2000

Agritope, Inc. (Nasdaq:AGTO) today announced the issuance of a new US patent for its biotechnology program.

The patent, number 6,054,635, covers a novel plant gene promoter derived from raspberry fruit. This promoter is a specific sequence of DNA that directs the expression of any gene linked to the promoter.

"Promoters are fundamental components of all biotechnology platforms because an effective promoter is necessary to activate genes in a precise manner," said Adolph J. Ferro, president and chief executive officer. "Agritope has a very active promoter discovery program that is critical for our company's ability to achieve improved traits in plant products and that allows us to conduct our research without incurring costs of licensing promoters owned by others."

The newly patented promoter, named RE4, can control gene activity in many or all tissues in a given plant. In studies to date, Agritope scientists have determined that RE4 directs gene expression in a number of plants in addition to raspberry. This broad spectrum of plant species includes apple, arabidopsis, garlic, lettuce, melon, onion, pear, tobacco and tomato. RE4 can also be used to control the activity of marker genes, which are important research tools used to confirm the presence of a new gene or trait in a plant. The utility of the RE4 promoter for molecular plant breeding is greatly enhanced by the fact that it is a naturally occurring plant DNA sequence. Thus, it can replace commonly used promoters of non-plant origin when creating improved plant varieties.

Agritope's patent portfolio now consists of 17 issued US Patents, 12 issued foreign patents as well as applications for an additional 57 patents pending. In addition, its 50% owned joint venture Agrinomics LLC has five patent applications pending.

Agritope is an Oregon-based agricultural functional genomics and biotechnology company that develops improved plant products and provides technology to the agricultural industry. Its fruit and vegetable division specializes in the development of improved fruit, vegetable and flower varieties. Agrinomics LLC, its 50% owned joint venture with Aventis CropScience (NYSE:AVE), conducts a research, development and commercialization program in the field of plant functional genomics. Vinifera, Inc., its majority owned subsidiary, offers superior grapevine plants to the premium wine industry.

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that expressly or by implication predict future results, performance or events are forward-looking. The words "believes," "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," and similar expressions often identify forward looking-statements. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. With respect to Agritope, these factors include its limited independent operating history; uncertainty of additional funding; loss or impairment of sources of capital; dependence on strategic partners; uncertainties relating to patents and proprietary information; dependence on key personnel; technological change and competition; uncertainties as to consumer acceptance of genetically engineered products; changes in laws or regulations; as well as the other factors discussed in Exhibit 99 to the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Agritope does not intend to update any forward-looking statements.