SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (TSX:SBS), a biotechnology company developing a broad pipeline of protein-based
pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical products today announced that it has received notification that the Appeal Board of the European Patent Office (EPO) has fully revoked European Patent EP 0 680 750 B1 in the name of Yves Rocher relating to the use of oilbodies in the manufacture of cosmetics. SemBioSys' DermaSphere(R) Oleosome Technology is protected by U.S. Patent 6,146,645 and related patents, as well as European Patent Application 98922563.6.

"We believe this favourable decision confirms and clarifies our dominant intellectual property position related to the DermaSphere(R) Oleosome Technology. We place a great deal of importance on properly protecting our
novel oilbody-oleosin technology and this is reflected by the comprehensive patent portfolio we have been able to establish," said Andrew Baum, President and CEO of SemBioSys Genetics Inc.

The DermaSphere(R) Oleosome Technology was developed by SemBioSys Genetics Inc. and is based on a natural oil-in-water emulsion derived from plant oilseeds. The emulsion is comprised of naturally occurring oil droplets called oleosomes, in which the oil is surrounded by a shell of phospholipids and unique proteins called oleosin. The oleosome core provides emolliency, occlusivity and anti-oxidant effects, and the outer shell provides emulsifying properties. An oleosome emulsion can be used as the entire non-active portion of the oil phase of a typical cosmetic formulation. With this technology, cosmetic formulations can be prepared under "cold process" conditions, enabling significant savings in time, energy and inventory management. These unique attributes of the DermaSphere(R) oleosomes allow the technology to be used in a wide range of applications including moisturizing creams, sunscreens, ointments, lotions, eye-care products as well as many others.

Calgary, Alberta-based SemBioSys Genetics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development, commercialization and production of biopharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical products based on its plant genetic engineering skills and proprietary oilbody-oleosin technology platform - the Stratosome(TM) Biologics System. Its two lead pharmaceutical product candidates are insulin and a developmental cardiovascular drug called Apo AI. It also has a series of non-pharmaceutical products addressing animal and aquaculture health, nutritional oils and human topical markets. SemBioSys currently has funded partnership agreements with Martek Biosciences Corporation, Lonza Inc. and Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.