EMBX Embrex

Embrex Opens First Manufacturing Plant to Produce Novel In Ovo Vaccine Against Poultry Disease LAURINBURG, N.C., April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Embrex, Inc., The In Ovo Company(SM), recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by North Carolina Governor Mike Easley to commemorate the opening of a "first of its kind" biological manufacturing facility. Known as Embrex Poultry Health, Embrex intends to use the Laurinburg, North Carolina facility to produce its novel Inovocox(TM) in ovo coccidiosis vaccine upon approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The opening occurred on March 30, 2004. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040407/CLW081-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040407/CLW081-b ) "Our history as a home-grown North Carolina company is impressive, and in our view, fits exactly the sweet spot that this state is looking at as it continues to build its support for the biotech industry and bio- manufacturing," said Randall L. Marcuson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Embrex. "Since our founding in 1985, Embrex has brought into the state of North Carolina a total of almost $400 million - from the early venture capital investments at our founding, to the first initial public offering in 1991 by a North Carolina based biotech company, to many millions of dollars in R&D grant monies, to $46 million of revenues in 2003. This is money which we have reinvested in salaries, R&D, products, and now this plant which,according the North Carolina Biotechnology Center is the first stand- alone, bio-manufacturing facility to be built by a North Carolina-based biotech company." In his remarks, North Carolina Governor Easley said: "Embrex has been a strong corporate citizen and has continued to invest in the state. Their decision to locate here in Laurinburg means approximately 40 good jobs for North Carolina families and a great investment for Scotland County." According to Embrex, Laurinburg has been identified for its experienced manufacturing base, significant ties to agriculture, access to major transportation corridors, labor availability, and a good quality of life. Embrex employs 274 people worldwide, 167 of whom are located in North Carolina. About theBiologics Manufacturing Facility Design and construction of Embrex's state-of-the-art biological manufacturing facility was managed by the Raleigh office of Lockwood Greene, a firm with extensive experience in the design and construction of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. The main manufacturing facility will house vaccine purification, sterile filling, shipping and receiving, as well as quality control laboratories. The site will also include poultry brooder houses and a building for the initial steps of the production process. Certain aspects of the novel manufacturing process are unique and proprietary to Embrex. The facility is located in the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport Industrial Park. Initially, the company expects to employ approximately 13 people, targeting growth to nearly 40 when in full production. Coccidiosis Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the chicken's digestive system. While seldom fatal, it causes weight depression, lower feed conversion ratios, intestinal lesions and diarrhea. The market for existing products to treat coccidiosis worldwide is estimated to be $350 million. With approximately 70% of the world's poultry produced outside the United States, Embrex expects the sales and export opportunity for Inovocox(TM) in ovo vaccine to be substantial. Embrex's Inovocox(TM) coccidiosis vaccine, currently under review by the USDA, is a novel in ovo biological control method for coccidiosis. Large-scale field trial results have demonstrated safety and efficacy. About Scotland County Scotland County is located in Southeastern North Carolina halfway between Charlotte and Wilmington, and approximately 90 miles from Raleigh. Laurinburg, the county seat, is home to 17,000 people as well as many small and large companies. About Embrex Embrex, Inc., The In Ovo Company(SM), headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, is an international agricultural biotechnology company engaged in the development of innovative in ovo (in the egg) solutions that meet the needs of today's global poultry industry. The company's unique integration of several scientific and engineering disciplines enables it to be the leading provider of in ovo, value-added solutions with its automated injection and detection devices as wellas its select vaccines. For additional information, visit the company web site at http://www.embrex.com/ . This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to future financial results, products, services, and markets. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Risks include without limitation risks associated with bringing a new facility on line, including the possibility of production delays. Other risks include the degree of growth in the poultry industry in the U.S. and globally, possible decreases in production by our customers, market acceptance and cost of expansion in new geographic markets and with new products, including the Company's abilityto penetrate new markets and the degree of market acceptance of new products including Inovocox(TM), the complete commercial development of potential future products on a cost effective basis, including with respect to Gender Sort and Inovocox(TM), andthe ability to obtain regulatory approval of products. Such approval is dependent upon a number of factors, such as results of trials, the discretion of regulatory officials, and potential changes in regulations. Additional information on these risks and other factors, which could affect the Company's financial results, is included in the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Embrex(R), Inovocox(TM) and The In Ovo Company(SM) are trademarks of Embrex, Inc. CONTACT: Ellen T. Moore Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications (919) 314-2561 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040407/CLW081-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040407/CLW081-b http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Embrex, Inc. CONTACT: Ellen T. Moore, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications of Embrex, Inc., +1-919-314-2561 Web site: http://www.embrex.com/

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