Burcon Granted U.S. Patent 

29/08/06 Burcon NutraScience Corporation has been granted a U.S. patent for a novel and commercially important component of its protein extraction and purification technology. The newly granted patent - United States Patent Number 7,087,720; "Enhanced Oilseed Protein Recovery" - covers critical processing conditions which enable an improved yield of oilseed protein isolate, preferably canola protein isolate, in an oilseed meal aqueous extraction procedure.

The principal value of the unique processing conditions captured by this patent is a marked improvement in protein recovery. Additionally, the functional and nutritional qualities of the protein isolates produced are also improved through the same processing modifications.

Burcon now holds five U.S. patents over canola protein processing technology and canola protein isolate product uses. Burcon has filed patent applications for eighteen additional inventions. These patent applications, which are currently being reviewed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, can be segregated into three general categories. First, Burcon has made patent applications to protect further novel processing steps for the extraction and purification of proteins from oilseed meals including canola meal. Second, Burcon has filed patents over the uses of Puratein and Supertein, for example as functional food and beverage ingredients. Third, Burcon has filed for patents over the "signature characteristics" of its products, including its canola proteins Puratein and Supertein.

In addition to its U.S. patent applications, Burcon has filed applications for most of its inventions internationally under the Patent Cooperation Treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organization in some 35 countries, including the European Union, Japan, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.