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Advitech and CHUL Research Center to Test XP-828l for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Canadian biotech company Advitech and the CHUL Research Center, CHULRC (CHUQ) will carry out a research project to assess the potential of XP-828L for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. XP-828L is Advitech's main platform. It is a purified milk protein fraction with a patented growth factor composition.

The in vivo study, which will be conducted by Dr Patrice E. Poubelle, researcher at the CHULRC, will use a recognized animal model of chronic inflammatory diseases, the HLA-B27T transgenic rats model. Inflammatory bowel diseases affect close to 1% of the population. The causes are not entirely known, but researchers are now better able to understand the action of the immune system at the onset of the disease.

"This project represents an important extension of our XP-828L platform, in view of the significant market opportunities involved," mentioned Renaud Beauchesne, Advitech's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are also extremely happy to be associated with the CHUL Research Centre, given the role it plays in medical research in Canada and the expertise of its researchers, especially with regard to chronic inflammatory diseases."

"Advitech's project is of great interest, since it will make it possible to validate new therapeutic indications for complex diseases such as granulomatous colitis or better known as Crohn's disease," stated Dr. Patrice E. Poubelle, researcher at the CHUL Research Center and Advitech's special scientific advisor. "Patients suffering from those chronic inflammatory diseases often experience extremely difficult life constraints as a result of their disease. The available treatments are often linked to various side effects, that can be severe. Advitech's technology could be a useful therapeutic alternative in that regard, especially because of the safety profile which appears favourable, according to a recent open study."

This study should be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2005. The results should be made available during the third quarter. Based on the results, a first clinical trial on patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases could be undertaken in 2006.

XP-828L was already the subject of a first clinical trial in 2004 for the treatment of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. A second clinical study for psoriasis is currently in process.

About Advitech

Advitech is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of bioactive ingredients from dairy proteins. Its key focus areas are in the fields of immunology and inflammation. Its main platform, XP-828L, is a growth factor complex used as an oral product for mild to moderate psoriasis and also for other immune-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases. Advitech's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol AVI. The number of common shares outstanding is 54,799,818.

This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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