BIGMAR Commences Proprietary Drug Development Strategy Via Licensing and Supply Agreement With Graminex.

JOHNSTOWN, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 1999--

Bigmar Expects to File First Investigational New Drug Application With the Food & Drug Administration For BGM-24, Prostatitis Therapy

BIGMAR, INC. (Nasdaq SmallCap Market:BGMR) today announced that it has signed a licensing and supply agreement with Graminex to develop a new prostatitis therapy, BGM-24. Bigmar intends to file an Investigational New Drug Application ("IND") with the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for this therapy, which would mark the Company's entrance into proprietary drug development.

Since March 1999, Bigmar has received approvals from the FDA for its first six Abbreviated New Drug Applications for generic oncology products. These products are being manufactured in Bigmar's FDA-inspected manufacturing facility in Barbengo, Switzerland.

BGM-24 is a plant-extracted, proprietary drug candidate to treat symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the innermost part of the prostate, and may also be considered for the treatment of chronic non-bacterial Prostatitis and Prostatodynia. BPH frequently results in a gradual squeezing of the part of the urethra that runs through the prostate and the inability to completely empty the bladder. This causes patients to experience a frequent urge to urinate and a burning sensation or similar discomfort during urination.

Most males will eventually suffer from BPH. The incidence of BPH for men in their fifties is 50% and rises to 80% by the age of 80. Worldwide there are approximately 118 million men over the age of 50 and in the United States, an estimated 30 million aged 50 and over have enlarged prostates. Of this group, approximately one-half will visit a urologist for relief of their symptoms. The general aging of the population and increasing life expectancies are anticipated to contribute to the continued growth in the number of BPH sufferers. Currently, there are three drugs to treat the symptoms of BPH with combined sales of approximately more than $1.5 billion.

John Tramontana, Bigmar's Chairman & CEO, commented, "Our new licensing and supply agreement allows Bigmar to fully undertake the development of this exciting product. Proprietary drug development is a major part of our overall growth strategy. We intend to leverage our existing resources, facilities and relationships to develop proprietary pharmaceutical products, which positions Bigmar to add new potential revenue streams and serve unmet medical needs."

BIGMAR, Inc.'s strategy is to supply world markets with a full line of high quality, affordably priced proprietary and generic pharmaceutical products. With distribution rights to more than 20 generic pharmaceutical products and six products approved by the FDA, the Company manufactures, in its state-of-the-art facilities in Switzerland, and market, through pharmaceutical company partners in Europe and the United States, off-patent generic oncology drugs and additional drugs as their patents expire.

Graminex L.L.C. is a Michigan based botanical company dedicated to applying its proprietary development and manufacturing process technologies to develop pharmaceutical-grade dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products from natural plants.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors as detailed in the Company's SEC reports and filings, which 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 in such forward-looking statements.