BI NUTRACEUTICALS CEO GEORGE PONTIAKOS TO HIGHLIGHT TRENDS IN ORGANIC INGREDIENTS AT SUPPLYSIDE WEST

BI NUTRACEUTICALS CEO GEORGE PONTIAKOS TO HIGHLIGHT TRENDS IN ORGANIC INGREDIENTS AT SUPPLYSIDE WEST

LONG BEACH, Calif., September 28, 2009 - BI Nutraceuticals’ president and CEO, George Pontiakos, will be leading an education session entitled “Understanding Organics: Current ingredient trends, safe sourcing and sterilization, and a look ahead,” at the SupplySide West tradeshow being held in Las Vegas, Nev., from November 11 - 14, 2009.  On Wednesday, November 11 from 3:00 - 3:50 p.m. in Marco Polo room 701 at the Venetian & Sands Expo Center, Pontiakos will discuss organic ingredient trends; challenges manufacturers face when sourcing certified-organic ingredients in the U.S. and abroad; ways to effectively work with ingredient suppliers to ensure the highest quality organic material; and safe, legal methods for sterilizing organic material.

“Ingredient trends and technology in the natural and organic product realm are changing at lightning speed, and this session provides a great opportunity for industry members to receive the latest information surrounding this growing market segment,” noted Pontiakos.  “Organics have their own unique set of challenges, from availability and quality issues to safe sterilization, and manufacturers looking to offer organic products need to be aware of the risks and rewards.”

As president and CEO of BI Nutraceuticals, Pontiakos oversees the company’s worldwide operations. BI has manufacturing and processing facilities in Long Beach, Calif., Long Island, N.Y., Boonton, N.J. and Suzhou and Shanghai, China. Pontiakos has held senior leadership positions at several leading consulting, medical services and technology companies including Monovasia, which he founded, Oluma, Lucent, Agere, Ortel, NetVantage and Timeplex. He has wide-ranging experience in scaling geographically dispersed global companies to maximize their ability to successfully compete in the marketplace.  Pontiakos holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Farleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey.

About BI Nutraceuticals:
BI Nutraceuticals is a global full-service supplier of dietary supplement and functional food ingredients including whole herb powders and teas, standardized and drug ratio extracts, custom blends, vitamins, minerals, drum to hopper custom blends, granular ingredients and other specialty processes including time released and encapsulated ingredients.  The company currently offers more than 120 certified organic ingredients. Since 2002, BI has been an innovator in steam sterilization and the company’s Protexx HP(R) process is currently the industry’s only species-specific, organic sterilization method.  All BI ingredients undergo stringent quality analysis that includes heavy metal, pesticide and irradiation testing. All herbal powder ingredients are also tested under the company’s Identilok(R) species identification process. The company has also developed a proprietary process, UltraHD(R), which creates high-density herbal powders allowing for superior flow and less dusting during the manufacturing process. For more information, visit www.binutraceuticals.com.

About SupplySide West:
SupplySide West trade show (www.supplysideshow.com) is dedicated to bringing together manufacturers and suppliers in the dietary supplement, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The event provides a unique opportunity for an executive-level exchange of ideas, goods and services not available through any other business-to-business event. SupplySide West offers three days of informative seminars and exhibitions tailored to the specific needs of supply chain executives. For more information on this presentation, contact Courtney Morton at courtneym@imgbranding.com or visit the BI Nutraceuticals booth #17041 at SupplySide West.
* Attached is a jpeg image of George Pontiakos

Press Contact:
Courtney Jacobs Morton
Integrated Marketing Group
P: 801-538-0777 x102
courtneym@imgbranding.com

COURT DIRECTS KEMIN VS. OMNIACTIVE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES PATENT INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT TO MOVE TO TRIAL

COURT DIRECTS KEMIN VS. OMNIACTIVE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES PATENT INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT TO MOVE TO TRIAL
Jury Trial Expected in July 2010

SHORT HILLS, N.J., September 28, 2009 - On September 27, 2009, the United States District Court for the Middle District Court of Florida denied OmniActive Health Technologies’ motion for summary judgment of non-infringement of Kemin’s U.S. Patent 5,382,714 (”‘714 patent”).   The court held in its order that a jury, not the judge, must decide the important issue of patent infringement.

The denial of the motion for summary judgment means that a factual dispute exists as to whether OmniActive’s purified free lutein products infringe or do not infringe the ‘714 patent and that the Court could not decide the issue as a matter of law.  Rather, the issue will have to be resolved by a jury at trial. OmniActive remains confident that when this case goes to trial, the jury will find the scientific evidence and the legal arguments overwhelmingly in favor of OmniActive’s free lutein products and confirm they do not infringe Kemin’s patent.

OmniActive has counterclaims in the case alleging that the ‘714 patent is invalid, that Kemin engaged in inequitable conduct before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in procuring the original ‘714 patent and its reissue applications, that Kemin has engaged in deceptive and unfair trade practices in competing with Omniactive, and that it has falsely marked its products with the ‘714 patent.

About OmniActive Health Technologies:
OmniActive Health Technologies, Inc., supplies a range of proprietary active ingredients and advanced delivery platforms for ingredients used in healthcare, food, and personal care applications. OmniActive is the world’s first complete source for the entire range of macular xanthophylls for food fortification and dietary supplementation including Lutemax(R) Free Lutein and Lutemax(R) Lutein Esters. The company provides its Lutemax range of ingredients in the form of vegetarian beadlets, oil suspensions and powder forms to meet all preferences and manufacturing requirements. OmniActive’s manufacturing facilities are certified for the quality and food safety management systems under ISO-22000(2005) and cGMP standards.

OmniActive is an industry leader in lutein research and development and has secured several patents for its contributions to the field including:
- US Patent # 6,743,953 for Free Lutein
- US Patent # 6,737,535 for Lutein Esters
- Australia Patent #2002347590 for Free Lutein
- Canada Patent #2,496,495 for Free Lutein
- Japan Patent #2004-530493 for Free Lutein

* Hiren is available on 9/29 between 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. EST for interviews.

Press Contact:
Hiren Doshi
866-588-3629
h.doshi@omniatives.com

NOVUS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS WITH VITAMIN ANGELS ON NEW ZINC PROGRAM

St. Louis, MO, September 21, 2009 – Novus International is partnering with Vitamin Angels on a new humanitarian program that supplies children with zinc in order to relieve severe diarrhea. Partnering with Vitamin Angels aligns perfectly with Novus’s corporate vision to help feed the world affordable, wholesome food and achieve a higher quality of life.

This partnership coincides with Novus’s decision to expand the scope of its solutions to include ingredients and technologies that can be directly utilized in supplements, beverages and foods.
As part of the partnership, the company has committed to making significant donations in the way of monetary funds, as well as raw material zinc.

This large-scale humanitarian project coordinated through Vitamin Angels Thrive to Five program is being launched during the group’s 2009 Celebration of Angels Event at the Natural Products Expo East Tradeshow in Boston on September 25th. The new zinc program will provide relief for diarrhea, one of the most widespread and deadly health problems affecting children under the age of five around the world. The program will be launched in Sauri, Dertu, and Eldoret Kenya, with plans to extend to other areas of need worldwide.

About Novus International Inc.
Novus International, Inc. is a global leader in creating science-based health and nutrition solutions. Over 2,500 nutritionist, producer, veterinarian and feedmill customers in more than 90 countries trust the Novus product family to be an integral part of their daily animal agriculture operations. Novus is privately owned by Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. and Nippon Soda Co., Ltd. and is headquartered in metro Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. Novus’s Mission is to “help feed the world affordable, wholesome food.”

About Vitamin Angels
Vitamin Angels is dedicated to reducing child mortality worldwide by advancing availability, access and use of essential micronutrients, especially vitamin A, to newborns, infants and children under five. In 2009, Vitamin Angels will connect over 10,000,000 children in over 30 countries, including the US, with the vital nutrients they need as a foundation for good health. To learn more about the problem of global malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and Vitamin Angels’ solution for change, visit www.vitaminangels.org.

* The two images are provided by VitaminAngels/KE09/Dayka

Press Contact:
Courtney Jacobs Morton
Integrated Marketing Group
P: 801-538-0777 x102
courtneym@imgbranding.com

ADVANCES IN THERAPY STUDY REPORTS EPICOR TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

ADVANCES IN THERAPY STUDY REPORTS EPICOR TO
SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
Results Confirm Importance of Immune Balance

ANKENY, Iowa, (September 23, 2009) - The peer-reviewed journal, Advances in Therapy, published the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that found the immune-balancing supplement EpiCor(R) significantly reduced the severity of allergy symptoms, EpiCor manufacturer, Embria(R) Health Sciences, announced today.

Over a 12-week period of the highest recorded concentrations of total pollen counts for the Midwest geographic area, 96 healthy test subjects with recent history of seasonal allergies and allergic rhinitis (AR) were given either a once-daily 500 mg dose of EpiCor, or a placebo. Results were measured with in-clinic examinations, validated questionnaires and diaries and serologic analysis at baseline, six and 12 weeks. The study found that EpiCor significantly reduced the severity of specific AR symptoms, including nasal congestion and rhinorrhea (runny nose).

“With approximately 25 percent of the world’s population suffering from allergies, these results are incredibly relevant,” said study co-author and director of research and development Stuart Reeves, Ph.D. “This study shows that EpiCor has strong potential as an all-natural option for both addressing allergies and balancing the immune system.”

“When out of balance, the immune system fails to protect the body. An over-stimulated immune system may result in allergies by mistaking harmless environmental substances such as pollen for an attacking parasite,” explains Larry Robinson, Ph.D., vice president of scientific affairs for Embria Health Sciences and one of the study’s primary researchers. “EpiCor works to keep the immune system at a balanced state so that it can properly respond to pollen and allergens.”

About Embria Health Sciences and EpiCor:
Embria Health Sciences, www.embriahealth.com, combines science and nature to bring high-quality, research-based natural ingredients to the global human nutrition market. Embria’s flagship ingredient, EpiCor, is an all-natural product designed to modulate and balance the human immune system and is manufactured using a proprietary technology, which produces vital metabolites, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that deliver nutritional benefits and support increased bioavailability. Recent human clinical studies show EpiCor significantly decreases the incidence of some common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, and decreases the incidence and duration of cold and flu symptoms. EpiCor has also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity, and activates crucial defense cells (Natural Killer, T-, and B-cells). For more information on how a balanced immune system can impact allergies, visit www.BalancedImmuneHealth.com.

For more information on EpiCor, visit embriahealth.com. For an abstract of this study, please contact Amanda Holty at 801.538.0777 or amandah@imgbranding.com

References:
Moyad MA. et al. Immunogenic yeast-based fermentation product reduces allergic rhinitis-induced nasal congestion: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Adv Ther. 2009;26(8):795-804.

EXPO EAST EDUCATION PROGRAM TO FEATURE INDUSTRY BRANDING EXPERT

Jeff Hilton to Discuss Green Marketing Trends and Consumer Strategies

SALT LAKE CITY and BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2009 — Jeff Hilton, partner and co-founder of Integrated Marketing Group (IMG), a marketing agency specializing in natural products branding, has been invited to present a “Supply at Expo East” educational seminar at this year’s Natural Products Expo East, taking place Sept. 23-26. Hilton’s extensive knowledge of the LOHAS consumer segment will be reflected in “Leveraging Trends in Green Marketing: Strategies for a Healthier, More Sustainable Brand,” presented on Friday, Sept. 25 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center’s Room 254A.

“As environmental responsibility becomes more and more relevant to consumer purchasing decisions, so does the need for companies to initiate sustainable practices, validate green claims and continually refine their eco-related messaging,” says Hilton. “This 90-minute session will provide attendees with a thorough understanding of effective, case-specific marketing practices and outline strategies to more credibly communicate green, sustainable initiatives while avoiding the risks of ‘green-washing.’”

To register for this event and for more details about this year’s trade show, visit www.expoeast.com.

About IMG and Jeff Hilton:
Jeff Hilton is partner and co-founder of Integrated Marketing Group (IMG), www.imgbranding.com, a marketing and brand consultancy created to optimize all aspects of marketing communications including: corporate identity, advertising, public relations, internet marketing, research, packaging, merchandising, sales promotion, educational programs, trade show presence and direct marketing. Hilton has been recognized by Advertising Age as one of America’s Top 100 Marketers and has 30 years of broad-based business experience, including 18 years spent within the natural products industry. In addition to helping build a variety of major national brands, Hilton led IMG to become the first agency in the country to certify in the National Training Institute’s FTC Advertising Compliance Course. Hilton was recently awarded the Personal Service Award from Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) in recognition for his multiple outreach efforts including editorial contributions, pro-bono work and webinar and speaking engagements within the healthy lifestyles industry. Visit www.imgbrandwire.com and www.naturalproductsinsider.com/blogs/buzz for additional branding articles and resources.

About Natural Products Expo East:
Natural Products Expo East (www.expoeast.com) features more than 2,100 exhibiting companies and 26,000 industry attendees. It has served the industry for more than 20 years by bringing the leaders in every field to educate participants on the latest trends, products and information concerning natural and organic products.

Press contact:
Clint Curry
p: 801.538.0777 x106
clintc@imgbranding.com