Agritope, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGTO) today announced that it has appointed D. Ry Wagner, Ph.D. to the position of vice president - research. Dr. Wagner was selected for the position following an international search for qualified candidates.

"We are pleased that Ry has agreed to head our plant research activities," said Adolph J. Ferro, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer. "His focus on plant molecular biology and developmental genetics is an ideal fit with both our current and future research objectives."

For the past ten years, Dr. Wagner has been on the faculty of the University of Oregon where he presently holds the position of Associate Professor, Biology, at the Institute of Molecular Biology. He joined the University after three years as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow. Dr. Wagner received a Ph.D. degree from the Department of Genetics, University of' Washington. He also holds a B.S. degree in Botany and Plant Pathology from Michigan State University. A frequent speaker at scientific meetings, Dr. Wagner is the author of twenty-nine scientific publications and two patent applications.

"Now is the time of tremendous opportunity to make important practical advances in plant biotechnology using the new resources and technologies that are at hand," said Dr. Wagner. "It will be very exciting to play a direct role in guiding these activities at Agritope."

Agritope, Inc. is an Oregon-based agricultural biotechnology company that develops improved plant products and provides technology to the agricultural industry.

Agritope, Inc.
Matt Kramer
Tel: +1 (503) 670 7702

N1281