For immediate release, Tuesday 17^th January 2006

ROWETT RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND DEPUTY RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER WELCOME LAUNCH OF NEW HEALTH DRINK, SIRCO™, FROM PROVEXIS PLC

Provexis plc the leading developer of scientifically-proven bioactives, has launched Sirco™, a heart-healthy drink and announced major distribution agreements with a number of leading supermarkets. Sirco™ contains Fruitflow™, a unique patented natural extract from tomato which was discovered by Professor Asim Dutta-Roy when he was a researcher at the Rowett Institute in the late 1990s. Fruitflow™ has been clinically proven to benefit the circulation and maintain heart health, and Sirco has Sirco recently received the approval of the charity H·E·A·R·T UK. Sirco™ will be available initially in two flavours, Blueberry & Apple, and Orange - in 1 litre packs .

“The commercial launch of Sirco ™ represents the culmination of more than seven years hard work at Provexis and the Rowett to take the discovery from the laboratory bench to supermarket shelf”, said Dr Alan Rowe, Chief Executive of Rowett Research Services Ltd, the knowledge transfer subsidiary of the Institute.

“During this time we have worked together to show the clinical benefit of Fruitflow™ and to commercially develop Sirco™. The collaboration demonstrates how the Scottish Executive supported research that the Institute undertakes on nutrition, diet and health can be translated into real products that the Scottish consumer can purchase from their local supermarket. We wish the company every success with the product launch and are looking forward to other opportunities to work together in the future,” said Dr Rowe.

Welcoming the launch of Sirco™, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development Rhona Brankin said: "The Scottish Executive is committed to funding high quality strategic research which can help improve the well being of Scotland's people.

"Science is vitally important to Scotland's economic future and can play a crucial role in adding value to produce. The development of this new health drink is an excellent example of strategic research leading to the development of an added value product."

ENDS

Photo opportunity at Rowett Institute

Dr Alan Rowe, CEO of RRS will be available for a photocall together with some of the members of the development team of Provexis on Tuesday 17^th January 2006 at the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen from 10:30h onwards, Please let Sue Bird, PR Manager, Rowett Institute, know if you wish to attend on 01224 716668 or 07711 093417.

For further information about Sirco please contact Mars Webb at MWPR on 0208 835 0372 or MarswebbPR@aol.com or Angharad Massie on 01753 844049 email angharad.massie@ehpr.co.uk

Visit www.Sircoheart.com or the Sirco Careline on 0800 389 6398 for more information

Rowett Research Services Ltd is the knowledge transfer and technology interaction subsidiary of the Rowett Research Institute. The Company was founded in 1988 and focuses on developing the interface between the scientific and business communities. Further information at www.rowett.co.uk

The Rowett Research Institute, ABERDEEN, AB21 9SB, is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for nutrition research. We undertake research to improve food quality and prevent disease. Further information available at www.rowett.ac.uk
The Rowett Research Institute is sponsored by SEERAD (www.scotland.gov.uk).