SemBioSys awarded key U.S. patent for the production of insulin in plants

    TSX symbol: SBS

    CALGARY, July 30 /CNW/ - SemBioSys Genetics Inc. ("SemBioSys") (TSX:SBS)
today announced that it has been granted U.S. patent US 7,547,821 entitled
"Methods for the Production of Insulin in Plants". The granted claims of the
patent are directed to a method for the commercial production of insulin in
plant seeds.
    "This patent further strengthens our unique proprietary position on the
production of high-value pharmaceuticals using plants. Human insulin is
currently the world's largest-volume protein pharmaceutical and is an ideal
target for our oilbody-oleosin technology platform," said James Szarko,
President and CEO of SemBioSys. "The issuance of this patent ensures our
exclusivity to commercialize our insulin-production technology in the U.S. and
offers competitive advantages to potential partners who wish to supply the
expanding diabetes market."
    A counterpart to the U.S. patent US 7,547,821 was issued in Europe last
year, and corresponding patents are pending in many jurisdictions worldwide
including Canada, Australia, Japan, China, India and Mexico.
    The Company also recently completed a successful phase I/II clinical
trial of its plant-made insulin in the first quarter of 2009. The trial
represented the first plant-made insulin ever injected into human subjects.
The results proved bioequivalence between SemBioSys' plant-made insulin and
Humulin(R) R, Eli Lilly's widely-used recombinant human insulin.

    About SemBioSys

    Calgary, Alberta-based SemBioSys is a world leader in manufacturing
high-value proteins and oils in plant seeds. With its unique proprietary
platform, SemBioSys provides partners with product enablement, exceptionally
low cost and unprecedented scalability. The Company applies this platform with
high selectivity to opportunities where it has a unique competitive advantage.
Since its inception, SemBioSys has produced more than 50 non-native proteins
and oils using its patented seed technology, demonstrating applicability
across a broad range of industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care and
industrial products. The Company's current pharmaceutical development programs
include insulin (SBS-1000, regulated as a biosimilar in Europe) and Apo
AI(Milano), a next-generation cardiovascular therapy. SemBioSys is listed on
the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker SBS. More information is available
at www.sembiosys.com.

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements,
including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believe",
"may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend",
"expect" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking
information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking
statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, changing market
conditions and market size, the acceptance of an IND by the FDA in respect of
clinical studies, the submission of a CTA to the appropriate European
authorities, the successful initiation and timely and successful completion of
clinical studies, the fact that Apo AI(Milano) is currently a development
stage drug, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of
competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties
related to the regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from
time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with the Canadian securities
regulatory authorities which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Given
these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required
by applicable Canadian securities laws.

For further information: SemBioSys Genetics Inc., Abby Garfunkel,
Investor Relations, Phone: (403) 717-4185, E-mail: garfunkela@sembiosys.com;
The Trout Group, Christine Labaree, Managing Director, Phone: (617) 583-1307,
E-mail: clabaree@troutgroup.com; The Equicom Group Inc., Ross Marshall, Vice
President, Phone: (416) 815-0700 ext. 238, E-mail: rmarshall@equicomgroup.com