OXIS International Joins Forces With "America's Dermatologist," Dr. Tony Nakhla and Leading PR Firm to Support Entry Into Skin Care Market With EGT(TM)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OXIS International, Inc., the leader in oxidative stress since 1966 (OTCBB:OXIS) (Paris:OXI), today announced that it has entered into an Agreement with Dr. Tony Nakhla, "America's Dermatologist™," to support the development of and serve as spokesperson for its new EGT (L-ergothioneine) skin care product line scheduled for market introduction in Summer, 2012.

Known in the media as "America's Dermatologist™", Dr. Tony Nakhla is a regular healthcare news contributor having been featured in numerous outlets including ELLE, New Beauty, ICON, SELF, Better Nutrition, Forbes, Better Homes and Gardens, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, Daytime, E!, and many others discussing topics like skin cancer prevention, nutrition and wellness, and the latest skin care and anti-aging procedures. Dr. Nakhla is a board-certified dermatologist, skin-cancer surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, and holistic-nutritional expert. He is medical director and founder of OC Skin Institute - Dermatology Centers of Orange County, in Southern California and author of the best-selling book, "The Skin Commandments: 10 Rules to Healthy, Beautiful Skin."

Concurrent with the Nakhla Agreement, OXIS has also engaged LCO-Levine Communications Office Inc., one of the country's leading public relations firms to fully develop all media opportunities for the OXIS/Nakhla endeavors. LCO is a multi-award winning agency having won the prestigious Bulldog Awards for Excellence in Media Relations and Publicity, including:

2011 Winner: 'Best Crisis Communications Campaign of the Year'

2010 & 2006 Winner: 'Arts & Entertainment Campaign of the Year'

The new EGT™ based skin care line will focus not only on an aging population of baby boomers seeking to retain and/or regain their youthful skin, but also a younger audience seeking to maintain and enhance their beauty.  

"Dr. Nakhla and LCO are the ideal partners for the execution of a direct-to-consumer marketing strategy of this exciting new line of products," said David Saloff, Chairman and CEO of OXIS International.

"We are confident that with this team and these extraordinary products to go along with our previously announced marketing partnership with EngageBDR, the future is extremely bright for the EGT™ brand and for OXIS International," he added.

Dr. Nakhla adds, "The oxidative stress mechanism is well known to be the main contributing factor to skin aging via the sun's ultraviolet light and other metabolic processes. I am thrilled to be collaborating with the world's leader in oxidative stress including their team of world renowned scientists to put forth the most cutting-edge, highest quality skin-care products available."

About OXIS International, Inc.

OXIS International, Inc. develops technologies and products to research, diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of oxidative stress/inflammation associated with damage from free radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The company holds the rights to several therapeutic classes of compounds in the area of oxidative stress, and has focused commercialization programs that include SOD (superoxide dismutase), MPO (myeloperoxidase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase), as well as a highly potent antioxidant, Ergothioneine, that may be sold over-the-counter (OTC) as a dietary supplement. Ergothioneine can also be sold to the cosmetics markets as well as the functional food and beverage markets.  For more information, please visit www.oxis.com

About Dr. Tony Nakhla:

Dr. Tony N. Nakhla, D.O., F.A.O.C.D. is a board-certified dermatologist, skin-cancer surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, and osteopathic physician with extensive training in traditional and holistic medicine as well as nutrition. Dr. Nakhla is medical director and founder of OC Skin Institute, in Orange County, CA, a national center of excellence in skin health and beauty. For more information, please visit www.TonyNakhla.com.

CONTACT: David Saloff
         424-248 2311
         David@Oxis.com
         www.oxis.com

Source: OXIS International Inc.

Released April 24, 2012