June 27, 2002 - Hong Kong - CK Life Sciences Int'l., Holdings Inc. (CKLS) announced that its invention arm, CK Biotech Laboratory Ltd (CK Biotech Lab), has successfully developed a series of 18 animal feed additive product applications, 13 of which have patent applications filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, and 5 with patent application documents being drafted.

Named AgiProTM, these animal feed additives is another eco-agriculture product introduced by CKLS after NutriSmartTM. The former is to be applied in livestock rearing, while the latter for farming.

The Group currently has three different types of environmental products and they are all at different stages of patent applications:

Patent Portfolio for CKLS Environmental Products

The global sales of animal antibacterial products was estimated at US$4.9 billion in 1999. Antibacterials may be classified into 2 broad categories: i) pharmaceutical antibacterials and; ii) animal feed additives. Animal feed additives include therapeutics (those used to treat or prevent diseases), growth promoters and anticoccidials (substances used for the prevention and control of infection of the intestinal tract caused by cell parasites). The significant markets for CKLS animal feed additive products are the US, China and Japan.

CKLS' range of animal feed additive product applications is composed of specially treated yeasts. AgiPro^TM is able to increase the absorption and the metabolic rate of animals, accelerating their growth rate. In addition, it can enhance or restore immuno-activity in cells of animals and improve health, as well as reduce the pathogenic microbes in manure, and hence, alleviate the environmental problem caused by animal manure. The use of AgiPro^TM could lead to a reduction or even elimination of the use of growth hormones and antibiotics, thus reducing the potential risk to human health caused by these chemical and artificial substances.

"In addition to NutriSmart^TM, AgiPro^TM is another eco-agricultural product of CKLS. NutriSmart^TM protects the environment and increases crop yield; while AgiPro^TM ensures animal health without disturbing the eco-balance. Both are innovative solutions and have the potential to bring about revolutionary developments in their respective fields," commented Mr H.L. Kam, President and CEO of CKLS.

"The side effects of antibiotics and growth promoters are known to be harmful. AgiPro^TM, which is composed of specially treated yeast strains, is a viable substitute of antibiotics and growth promoters. AgiPro^TM's products are beneficial to livestock, farmers as well as the eco-system. It improves the health of livestock and at the same time, safeguards that of human well-beings. We believe that AgiPro^TM will be a popular and prevalent agricultural product," added Mr Kam.

The AgiProTM trademarks are being applied in a number of countries. Field tests have been conducted in the PRC on a range of different animals including pigs, chickens, fish and shrimp. Preliminary test results are satisfactory.

CK Life Sciences Int'l., (Holdings) Inc. is engaged in the business of research and development, commercialization, marketing and sale of biotechnology products. The Group's business areas cover two dimensions - human health and environmental sustainability. Products developed by CKLS are categorized into five areas - eco-agriculture, bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, nutraceutical, and dermatologicals.

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