Receptagen published animal research supports "growth blocker" technology.

EDMONDS, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 1996--(TSE:RCG/OTCBB:RCEPF) Recently published findings show that antibodies to the vitamin B 12 receptor result in test animals failure to thrive, further supporting the theory that vitamin B 12 depletion can be used as a therapeutic approach for diseases that involve abnormal cell proliferation.

These observations were made when researchers produced antibodies against the B 12 receptor resulting in test animals failure to thrive. The scientific paper published in the February 23rd edition of the Journal of Biological Chemistry describes how antibodies to the vitamin B 12 receptor restricted cellular uptake of B 12 in rabbits and resulted in a failure to thrive. The group, headed by Dr. Bellur Seetharam of the Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, was not funded by Receptagen. "These findings confirm that interfering with uptake and transport mechanisms of Vitamin B 12, which is an essential nutrient, is potentially a viable approach to inhibit cell growth in vivo", stated Dr. Clive S. Woodhouse, Receptagen's Vice President of Research and Product Development. "In addition, the research results showed that despite the observation that the test animals failed to thrive, organs such as liver, intestine and kidney appeared microscopically normal at necropsy."

Receptagen's "Growth Blocker" drugs are based on the theory that vitamin B 12 depletion induces apoptosis (ie. programmed cell death.) Receptagen's proprietary monoclonal antibody and small molecule "Growth Blockers" induce apoptosis in cancer cells through inhibition of B 12 uptake in cells and are being evaluated in animal models in preparation for human clinical trials. "Growth Blockers" are intended to cause minimal and reversible toxicity, making them ideally suited fo the Company's first therapeutic application - lymphoma in patients exhibiting AIDS symptoms. Receptagen is also pursuing application of the technology to ddiseases that involve abnormal cell proliferation, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders.

Receptagen currently has three operations: Receptagen Corp. in Edmonds, Washington, which is pursuing worldwide development of proprietary "Growth locker" drugs; Ryan Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Edmonds, Washington, which owns the exclusive rights to U.S. commercialization of Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10) to inhibit apoptosis (cell death) in treating AIDS symptoms; and VWD Distributors, a wholesale drug and durable medical equipment (DME) division in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained herein.

CONTACT: Receptagen Ltd.

Joseph S. Baba, [phone]

Clive S. Woodhouse, Ph.D, [phone]