FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PATENTED PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY ENSURES SAFETY,
STABILITY OF THEAFLAVINS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Technology protects valuable tea extract from harmful effects of environmental conditions

Nashville, Tenn. - July 10, 2003 - Theaflavin, the tea ingredient linked to lowering LDL cholesterol by 16.4 percent in a recently published study, is now available in a 375-mg softgel capsule that overcomes the unstable composition of theaflavins under ambient conditions. A patented extraction process developed by industry-leader Nashai Biotech, LLC, led to the introduction of the world's first "theaflavin enriched" caffeine-free tea extract, Teaflavin®.

"Nashai has leveraged its patented process for preserving and protecting theaflavins to ensure the safety, stability and efficacy of the new product's active ingredients," states Michael Vaughn, president and CEO of Nashai Biotech. "As a result, millions of people without heart disease will have access to a cost-effective, non-drug option to lower LDL or bad cholesterol."

Vaughn points to the results of the study, which were based upon a randomized, controlled clinical trial of 240 Chinese men and women with high cholesterol. He says that Nashai is now undertaking additional studies to determine if the extract works as well in other patient groups and what impact the extract may have when taken with cholesterol medications, especially statins. Publications by various clinical researchers have indicated that theaflavins are powerful antioxidants and may provide significant preventive health benefits for cardiovascular disease, cancer, immune system support and other chronic conditions. (Archives of Internal Medicine, 6/23/03).

"Now that the Nashai research team has overcome the challenges of stabilizing the unique theaflavin composition, we will be investigating multiple applications to benefit consumers," continues Vaughn. "By combining our proprietary technology with softgel encapsulation technology, we can preserve and protect this unique composition derived from black and green teas."

When researchers found that theaflavins degrade and lose their active properties when they are made into a powder or liquid and are exposed to the natural environment, Nashai Biotech invented and patented a process that preserves and protects theaflavins as an active ingredient from raw material to finished capsule. Encapsulated theaflavins retain their activity for two years.

Vaughn explains that theaflavins are unique active ingredients which are produced when green tea ferments and changes into black or oolong tea. All tea begins as a green tea leaf picked from a tea bush. Green tea is the basic form of tea that does not go through additional processing, while black tea is green tea that has gone through further processing by rolling, drying and oxidation (exposure to sunlight and the atmosphere), otherwise called the "fermentation process."

Nashai Biotech developed and validated test methods, quality controls, and batch-to-batch consistency in accordance with cGMP guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The standardized, finished Teaflavin® capsule is produced in an FDA-licensed facility in the United States.

"The encapsulation technology used for Teaflavin® protects Nashai's products from ambient conditions, thereby providing a more stable product," says Vaughn. "We are able to offer this unique product to consumers across multiple distribution channels within the nutrition industry."

About Nashai Biotech LLC

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with offices in Irvine, California and Shanghai, China, Nashai Biotech, LLC (www.nashai.com) produces patented, new generation formulas and ingredients based on compelling scientific evidence. Nashai researches, develops, and produces novel ingredients, converted into dietary supplements, over-the-counter medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients, for distribution to the consumer by pharmaceutical and natural products companies with well-established marketing and distribution networks.

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Media Contact:
Ihor Andruch
CPRi Communications
201-641-1911 x50
iandruch@cpronline.com