OXIS International Announces Joint Venture With Global Leading Digital Marketing Firm engage:BDR to Launch New EGT(TM) Based Health and Nutrition Product Line in April

Global Online Digital Campaign Reaching Target Audience of 109 Million Expected to Drive Significant Revenue

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OXIS International, Inc., (OTCBB:OXIS); (Paris:OXI) today announced its joint venture with engage:BDR, a leading full-service digital advertising and marketing agency, to launch its new antioxidant L-Ergothioneine (EGT™) based health and nutrition product line. 

OXIS International is developing and manufacturing their proprietary EGT line of products. engage:BDR will promote, market and create a full digital advertising campaign for the line of health and nutrition products, reaching a targeted audience of more than 109 million through its engage:BDR advertising network and through mobile and video advertising. 

"We have an unprecedented opportunity to introduce our proprietary EGT™ based products direct to consumers with the help of our partners at engage:BDR," said David Saloff, Chairman and CEO, OXIS International. "Their outstanding track record executing direct-to-consumer products and ability to deliver our product message to a very targeted audience will make for a very successful launch."

EGT is referred to as the "intelligent antioxidant" because it is the only anti-oxidant having a dedicated transport mechanism in the body to deliver it through the cell membrane and even into the mitochondria, the energy producing area of the cell. Additionally, when other powerful antioxidants are also present, the body preferentially utilizes ergothioneine. OXIS holds the exclusive patent to manufacture EGT, which has received full GRAS (safety) approval.

"OXIS International has illustrated tremendous expertise in product development and manufacturing in creating the EGT product line which we're extremely excited to deliver to the market," said Ted Dhanik, president, engage:BDR. "Engage:BDR delivers an end-to-end digital advertising services for companies like OXIS to reach their audience, leveraging our extensive reach and proprietary methodologies which we feel will boost their bottom line."  

ErgoFlex™ will be the first EGT-based product to launch. ErgoFlex is a unique, clinically-proven dietary supplement for the rapid relief of joint pain and improved mobility. ErgoFlex was successfully test marketed in a direct mail campaign by OXIS in 2011. Additional products are expected to launch in early summer.

About engage:BDR

engage:BDR provides advertisers cutting-edge marketing solutions, advanced technology and custom programming by integrating display, video and branded entertainment into a single network. Whether it's driving qualified traffic and leads or building awareness and engagement, engage:BDR is committed to providing innovative solutions to reach consumers and deliver the highest quality results to their partners. Headquartered in Los Angeles, engage:BDR attracts a list of top name partners and customers including Ask.com, Bose, CBS Interactive, eHarmony, Live Nation, Sony Pictures among others.

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, including EGT™ (99% pure L-ergothioneine), known as the intelligent antioxidant.

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

Source: OXIS International Inc.

Released April 17, 2012