OXIS International Retains Internationally Recognized Expert on Anti-Oxidants and L-Ergothioneine as Consultant
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--
OXIS International (OTCBB: OXIS; Nouveau Marche: OXIS) (FWB: OXI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on commercializing predictive biomarkers, clinical assays and nutraceutical and therapeutic products, announced today that it has retained Okezie Aruoma PhD, an internationally recognized expert on anti-oxidants and L-Ergothioneine (ERGO), to help the Company accelerate development of its portfolio of biomarkers and promote the launch and marketing of ERGO, the company's potent antioxidant neutraceutical. Dr. Aruoma has 18 years of experience in biomedical research focused on food biofactors, oxidative stress mechanisms and antioxidant pharmacology and their pharmaceutical indications as prophylactic agents.
Dr. Aruoma has been an Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Mauritius since May, 2005. Prior to this position, he was a Visiting Professor at Seoul National University in Korea, and a Senior Research Fellow at London South Bank University. He previously held senior research positions at Imperial College in London and King's College London. He was awarded the 3rd Goodman Fielder Orator award in Australia in 1997 for his lecture on "Food Antioxidants and International Health" and the Brain Pool Award for International Scientists from the Korean Ministry of Science and Technology in 2004-2005.
He has authored ten books including Molecular Biology of Free Radical in Human Diseases, DNA & Free Radicals: Techniques, Mechanisms and Applications and Free Radicals in Tropical Diseases. He has had more than 100 papers published in scientific publications, and has received nine research grants from corporations and scientific institutes. Dr. Aruoma is recognized as one of the world's leading experts on the biologic role of ERGO.
"I am delighted that we were able to attract one of the leading international experts in the area of anti-oxidants and nutrition," said Marvin S. Hausman MD, Oxis International's President and CEO. "Nutrition has public health implications and dietary components can have antioxidant, chemopreventative, neuroprotective and cardioprotective potential. Nutritional supplements are highly relevant to the management of cancers, cardiovascular conditions, HIV/AIDS and other diseases that create serious health problems. We look forward to working with Dr. Aruoma and using his expertise and relationships to develop our promising portfolio of biomarkers and assist Oxis in the promotion of its potent antioxidant/antiinflammatory compound ERGO."
Dr. Aruoma was awarded an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Warwick, a Doctor of Science (DSc) in Medical Biochemistry from the University of London and a PhD from King's College London. He also holds a Master's Degree in Biopharmacy from Chelsea College (now part of King's College London) and a Bachelor's of Science Degree from the University of Sussex. Dr. Aruoma is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and a Chartered Scientist of the Science Council, UK.
About OXIS and BioCheck:
OXIS International, Inc. develops technologies and products to research, diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of oxidative stress associated with damage from free radical and reactive oxygen species and the related increased inflammation that accompanies oxidative stress. Oxis presently holds the rights to three therapeutic classes of compounds in the treatment of oxidative stress, and has focused commercialization programs in clinical cardiovascular markers, including MPO (myeloperoxidase) and GPx (glutathione peroxidase), as well as the super potent antioxidant, Ergothioneine, that is planned to be introduced as an over-the-counter (OTC) nutraceutical supplement. Oxis's customers include leading pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Glaxo SmithKline and Genzyme and universities such as Baylor College of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Virginia School of Technology, distributors and government laboratories. OXIS has acquired a 51% interest in BioCheck, with the option to purchase the remaining 49%.
BioCheck is a leading provider of high quality enzyme immunoassay research services and products including immunoassay kits for cardiac and tumor biomarkers, infectious diseases, thyroid function, steroids, and fertility hormones. BioCheck operates a 15,000 square-foot, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certified cGMP, and ISO device-manufacturing facility in Foster City, California.
More information about OXIS, BioCheck and their products, services as well as current SEC filings may be obtained by visiting http://www.oxisresearch.com and http://www.biocheckinc.com.
The statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, objectives, anticipations, plans, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties indicated in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is important to note that actual outcomes could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
Source: OXIS International
Released February 1, 2007