Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 10, 2023) - Burcon NutraScience Corporation (TSX: BU) ("Burcon or the "Company"), a global technology leader in the development of plant-based proteins for foods and beverages, is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed end-to-end validation trials of its novel sunflower protein process using commercial-scale equipment at Burcon's Winnipeg Technical Centre.
Burcon has validated that its innovative sunflower protein process is robust and ready for commercial scale-up. Burcon's sunflower protein isolates are greater than 90% pure protein, have a neutral flavor profile and are white in color allowing incorporation into many plant-based foods. Initial feedback on Burcon's novel sunflower protein isolate has been overwhelmingly positive.
Commenting on the new sunflower process, Kip Underwood, Burcon's chief executive officer, said: "Completing these validation trials clears an important milestone towards converting Burcon's IP into real world applications. Industry partners interested in our sunflower protein technology can have the confidence to work with Burcon as our ingredient technology is economical, scalable and able to produce high-quality protein ingredients. Our sunflower protein has the potential to be one of Burcon's premier offerings. We are excited to work with our potential partners to bring this unique sunflower protein to market and provide consumers with sustainable, healthy plant-based protein options."
Process validation is a key milestone towards successful commercialization of Burcon's technologies. As part of our Burcon 2.0 strategy to get closer to customers and end markets, and to have greater control over the manufacture of Burcon's proteins, the Company is evaluating and pursuing multiple routes to market. Discussions with potential partners to bring this technology to market are progressing well, with interested parties wanting to move forward on this project. Concurrent to partnership discussions, Burcon is exploring additional routes to market with the goal of reducing the time required to achieve commercial production and sales.
The market for alternative proteins continues to grow at a double-digit pace with increasing demand for premium ingredients to develop better-tasting foods and beverages. Ingredients arising from sunflower seeds are widely accepted for their health and sustainable attributes. Burcon's latest sunflower protein isolate, which is a source of non-GMO, non-allergenic and clean label protein, fits perfectly within this growing trend and solves many of the formulation challenges today.
About Burcon NutraScience Corporation
Burcon is a global technology leader in the development of plant-based proteins for foods and beverages. Our proteins exhibit superior functionality, taste and nutrition, making them ideal ingredients for food formulators. With over two decades of experience, Burcon has amassed an extensive patent portfolio covering its novel plant-based proteins derived from pea, canola, soy, hemp and sunflower seeds, among other plant sources. Burcon is striving to become a vertically integrated provider of specialty plant-based protein solutions that deliver on health, nutrition and sustainability. Supporting the growing trend towards a plant-based diet, Burcon is developing premium protein ingredients that we believe are better for you and better for the planet. For more information, visit www.burcon.ca.
Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of the content of the information contained herein. This press release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation including Burcon's ability to scale-up its sunflower process and the identification of a partner for its sunflower technology. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performances, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "project," "estimate," "expect," "believe," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "could," "will" and similar references to future periods. All statements included in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Burcon's plans and expectations include the implementation of our business model and growth strategies; trends and competition in our industry our future business development, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to obtain financing cost-effectively; potential changes of government regulations; and other risks and factors detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Burcon with securities regulators and stock exchanges, including in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Burcon's annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2022 and its other public filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Any forward-looking statement or information speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Burcon disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Burcon believes the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and, accordingly, investors should not rely on such statements.
Industry and Investor Contact
Paul Lam
Director, Investor Relations
Burcon NutraScience Corporation
Tel (604) 733-0896, Toll-free (888) 408-7960
plam@burcon.ca www.burcon.ca
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, APR
President
Campbell & Company Public Relations
Tel (604) 888-5267
TECH@CCOM-PR.COM
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