Ceapro Licenses New Mint Variety: Will Develop Extracts for Innovative Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals

18/04/08 Ceapro Inc. has signed a licensing agreement with the University of Guelph for the use of a spearmint variety containing very high levels of rosmarinic acid, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Generally the compound is found only in limited quantities - most typically in rosemary but also in smaller quantities in several herbal plant species, including mint. The appeal for Ceapro is threefold:

- Mint is a natural ingredient, fitting in well with Ceapro's organic production of extracts and products.
- Unlike its eponymous source, rosmarinic acid extracted from mint can be colourless and flavourless, making it a superlative active ingredient for inclusion in cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals, and also allowing Ceapro to satisfy the market demand for innovation.
- Mint is a hearty and fecund plant: up to three crops can be harvested per year even in Canada's challenging climate, making it a cost-effective source of rosmarinic acid.

Ceapro will apply its patented extraction and processing technologies to create products with cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. "This is a very important opportunity for us," said Ceapro CEO Mark Redmond. "We expect our growing distributor network will find broad market appeal and acceptance for a rosmarinic acid that is odourless, tasteless and ingestible. This moves Ceapro's natural product offerings beyond organics and into nutraceuticals."

Steve De Brabandere, Technology Transfer Manager at University of Guelph added, "We are excited to be working with a rising Canadian company experienced in the extraction and marketing of natural health products. We're confident that Ceapro will enable this innovation to reach a wide market."

Ceapro representatives will be in Geneva from 6 to 8 May 2008 for the Vitafoods International Conference.