College Station, Texas
January 11, 2001

ProdiGene, an industry-leading supplier of plant produced recombinant proteins for biopharmaceutical and industrial protein use, announced the appointment of Anthony G. Laos as President and Chief Executive Officer. 

ProdiGene is pioneering development of plant based production systems for manufacturing high
value recombinant proteins. These systems offer proteins from non-animal sources, producible on a large scale and in a more cost-effective fashion than current methods to the pharmaceutical and
industrial protein industries. 

Mr. Laos brings extensive operational experience and expertise in development of plant based
products. His past positions include Group Vice President of Agri-Products at Northrup King; Vice President and General Manager of Stauffer Seeds division at Stauffer Chemical; and Director of Market Development and Sales, Elanco Products Company division of Eli Lilly and Company. Mr. Laos has served on the ProdiGene Board of Directors for the past four years. 

"The Board of Directors welcomes Mr. Laos to the helm of ProdiGene," says company founder and Chief Scientific Officer John Howard, Ph.D. "With everyone focusing on their respective core
competencies, we will be able to develop products and get to market faster. Mr. Laos' managerial
expertise will be central to this growth." 

ProdiGene, headquartered in College Station, TX, is the first company in the world to successfully
commercialize recombinant proteins from genetically enhanced plants. Today ProdiGene has more than fifteen high value proteins in development. ProdiGene maintains an extensive portfolio of over 90 issued and pending patents to create a defensible technology platform. In October, ProdiGene was issued a broad patent for the production and delivery of oral vaccines for immunization of humans and animals against all viral diseases. 

Company news release
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