Forbes Medi-Tech launches cholesterol-lowering ingredient Reducol™ in the UK

21/12/05 Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. has announced Forbes' cholesterol-lowering ingredient, Reducol(tm), has been launched in the UK. The initial products carrying Reducol(tm) will be sold through the UK's largest retailer, Tesco Stores Ltd. (Tesco), under their own private label. In combination with Tesco, Forbes Medi-Tech will announce further details about this new line of cholesterol-lowering products early in the new year as they become available on store shelves.

At a joint press conference held in London today, several speakers discussed the importance of good cholesterol health and the launch of the New Heart Healthy range of products with Reducol(tm). Speakers included: Gwyneth Dunwoody, British Member of Parliament; Dr. Peter Jones, Department of Food Science & Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba; Dr Saul Myerson, Clinical Lecturer in Cardiovascular Medicine, Oxford University; and Jane Griffin, State Registered Dietitian and published author.

This business initiative with Tesco is the result of Forbes' partnership with Fayrefield Foods of Crewe UK, established in December 2004.

Reducol(tm) is a unique ingredient containing plant sterols and stanols, commonly known as phytosterols, or "Sterols". The combination of a prudent diet and consumption of products containing the recommended amount of Reducol(tm) may help consumers lower their cholesterol by up to 24%.

The Tesco Group reported GBP$37.1 billion in sales for FY2005. It has 2,318 stores and employs 326,000 people in the 12 countries in which it operates. In Europe, outside the UK, it operates in Ireland, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Turkey where it has 261 stores and 55,000 employees. In Asia it has 179 stores and 34,000 employees across its businesses in Thailand, S. Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Japan. It is the market leader in 6 of the countries it trades in. Wherever it operates it has one core purpose "Creating value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty" and two values "No-one tries harder for customers"; "Treat people how we like to be treated" that directs how it operates.

Fayrefield Foods specializes in the production and marketing of dairy products and powders throughout Europe, the Middle East and North America. Since it began in 1982 the company has established a reputation for innovation and quality, and now achieves sales in excess of 200 million pounds (approximately US$370 million) per year.

Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. is a life sciences company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative products for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Our vision is to develop and market products along a treatment continuum that cardiovascular disease consumers, healthcare professionals and specialized cardiovascular disease research and healthcare institutions will identify, recommend and seek. Our business strategy is to develop and commercialize proprietary compounds to address the unmet needs of patients within the cardiovascular disease market.

http://www.forbesmedi.com/s/News-2005.asp?ReportID=125146&_Type=&_Title=Forbes-Medi-Tech-Launches-Cholesterol-Lowering-Ingredient-Reducoltm-in-the-...