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BOVIGEN SECURES RIGHTS TO NATIONAL CARCASS MERIT PROJECT GENETIC MARKERS

The Carcass Merit Project, a collaboration between Texas A&M through the Angleton Project and NCBA on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, have led the Beef industry's efforts in development of new genomic tools for cattle producers. Bovigen has reached a formal, comprehensive agreement to continue their 15 year research efforts, and to make the existing genomic discoveries from these projects finally available to the marketplace.

Harahan, La.; January 10th, 2007 - The National Carcass Merit Project was a ground-breaking collaboration between a group of Universities, led by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, a component of Texas A&M University System, and fourteen Breed Associations. Coordinated by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), the project was primarily funded by the Beef Checkoff Program.

The Carcass Merit Project used DNA technology to evaluate several regions in the cattle genome related to economically important traits. Their effect on heritable traits such as tenderness, ribeye area, juiciness, marbling, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage were measured across 14 breeds and more than 8,500 progeny.

"The Carcass Merit Project is one of the most important undertaken by the beef industry in recent years," said Dr. Dave Lunt of Texas A&M University. "The outcomes of this project will make possible basic changes to the genetic base of beef cattle in the United States, with the specific target of improving producers' ability to meet consumer demands for product satisfaction."

"The effort and cooperation necessary to put together a resource of this magnitude is a credit to beef producers' checkoff, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the fourteen breed associations that participated." said Victor Castellon, CEO of Bovigen. "We believe this project and the research already completed will enable us to quickly bring additional tests to market for economically relevant traits."

NCBA Vice President of Research and Knowledge Management Bo Reagan stated, "Over the last decade the beef industry has increasingly focused on providing the most palatable and economical product possible to our customers - the beef consumer. Much of this work has focused on post-harvest technologies. This project, however, focuses on the fact that we can make at least as much progress at addressing consumer demands by improving the genetics within the industry."

The agreement includes terms for evaluation, research, and marketing of the Genomics discovered through the Carcass Merit Project, as well as resultant discoveries by the Texas A&M Angleton project. It also includes the ability to commercialize previously discovered markers patented by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and NCBA, and access to data and populations necessary for Bovigen's continued extensive research.

About Bovigen

Bovigen, LLC is a global genetic technology company. Bovigen is the only USDA certified �Process Verified Program�, or PVP, genomics company in the world. We promote excellence in the Beef industry through development, acquisition and commercialization of genetic tools that empower producers to improve value and positively impact industry economics. The company's products include GeneSTAR® Tenderness; GeneSTAR® Quality Grade; SireTRACE®; SureTRAK®, GPD�, GeneSTAR Elite Tender� and GeneSTAR® Black. For more information visit www.bovigen.com or call 877.BEEF.DNA

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