Agritope, Inc. today reported that it has completed the evaluation of its 1999 field trials of improved cantaloupe and raspberry varieties. All of the trials involved products containing Agritope's ripening control technology. 

Melon Field Trials 

The cantaloupe trials, conducted throughout the summer growing season in 1999, demonstrated
that in selected new varieties using Agritope's technology, the fruit exhibited improved harvest and
storage characteristics when compared to the control fruit. The control varieties in the study were
identical to the improved varieties except that they did not contain the Agritope technology.
Maturation in the new varieties was more uniform than in the unimproved controls. Improved
maturity control could permit growers to save labor by reducing the number of harvests necessary
for a given field. Storage evaluations demonstrated an increase in marketable fruit especially when
grown and stored under less than ideal conditions. The combination of these two improved
characteristics could result in increases in marketable yields and they may prove to be beneficial
to growers, distributors, and consumers alike in a wholesale market estimated at $1.3 billion. The
trials were conducted by Agritope and its strategic partner for this project, Harris Moran Seed
Company, a subsidiary of Vilmorin, Clause & Cie, based in Modesto, California. 

In order to ensure that all the safety and regulatory questions have been fully addressed,
developers of bioengineered foods consult with the Food and Drug Administration before
marketing the improved products. The FDA may require special labeling for some bioengineered
foods under certain circumstances, for example, if the composition is significantly different from
the conventionally grown counterpart or if nutritional value has been changed significantly. Special
labeling may also be required if the improved food poses a safety issue such as the presence of a
known allergen not present in the unimproved version of the food product. 

"In December 1999, Agritope successfully completed its consultation with the FDA for its new
varieties of melons,'' said Adolph J. Ferro, president and chief executive officer of Agritope.
"The FDA did not raise any regulatory or labeling issues for the new melons. However, we plan
to conduct additional safety tests even though such tests are not required by the FDA.'' 

"Studies are underway to support a related petition to the US Department of Agriculture
requesting a designation of non-regulatory status for improved melons,'' said Matthew Kramer,
Agritope's vice president - product development. "We have decided to go beyond the
requirements of the USDA by working with independent university researchers to conduct
additional studies to further demonstrate that our new melon varieties do not adversely affect the
environment.'' 

Raspberry Field Trials

The 1999 raspberry field trials focused on evaluating the impact of shipping conditions, by
simulation. The genetically improved varieties performed significantly better under simulated
shipping conditions as compared to the control varieties. Having successfully completed the
simulated shipping phase of evaluation, field trials scheduled for 2000 will include actual
transportation to market under normal shipping conditions. 

"Raspberries are a particularly fragile fruit with a short shelf life -- The best berries on the market
last only 1-2 days when stored under ideal conditions,'' said Matt Kramer, vice president --
product development. "If the next round of trials meets our expectations, we will proceed with
obtaining the appropriate regulatory clearances to bring the product to market.'' 

Patented Ripening Control Technology

Agritope's ripening control technology focuses on the natural production of ethylene gas in fruits
and vegetables. This gas is a key factor in post-harvest fruit and vegetable losses estimated at
several billion dollars annually. Agritope has developed a patented gene, SAMase, which has
been shown to significantly reduce levels of ethylene. The key benefit to the SAMase technology
is that through its control of ethylene gas production, it allows initial ripening and then sustains the optimal level of ripeness for an extended period of time. 

-----------------------

Agritope is an Oregon based agricultural functional genomics and biotechnology Company that
develops improved plant products and provides technology to the agricultural industry. Its fruit
and vegetable division specializes in the development of novel fruit, vegetable, and flower
varieties. Agrinomics LLC, its 50% owned joint venture with Aventis CropScience, conducts a research, development and commercialization program in the field of plant functional genomics. Vinifera, Inc., its majority owned subsidiary, offers superior grapevine plants to the premium wine industry together with disease testing and elimination services. 

Founded in France in 1743, Vilmorin specializes in the worldwide breeding, production and
distribution of vegetable and flower seeds to the home garden and professional markets. It is the
largest company in the world serving the home garden market and the second largest company in
the professional vegetable seed market. Vilmorin's shares are traded on the second marche of the
Paris Bourse. 

Harris Moran Seed Company has a long history of innovation beginning in the 1850s. Its founders were among the first to print germination testing on seed packets, incorporate plant breeding, offer exclusive varieties and conduct field testing throughout the country. 

Company news release
N2547