Agritope, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGTO) today announced that it has engaged Vector Securities International, Inc. to assist Agritope in examining and structuring a variety of options including
additional strategic alliances, joint ventures and other arrangements.

"Agritope is in the process of evaluating new technologies that extend beyond improved fruits and vegetables and should enable us to more fully exploit the exciting developments taking place in agricultural biotechnology," said Adolph J. Ferro, president and chief executive officer. "We are taking steps to position the company as a leading provider of plant genomic technology to the major companies in the agrochemical and crop seed industry. Our goal is to accelerate that process by hiring Vector."

Ferro continued, "Vector has significant experience in providing consultation to life sciences companies in these matters. The firm has responded to the significant growth of the use of biotechnology in agriculture by expanding its institutional research focus to include coverage of
agricultural biotechnology as a separate sector of its life sciences specialty."

Vector Securities International, Inc., based in Deerfield, Illinois, is an investment banking firm specializing in the life sciences industry.

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

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