Melvin D. Booth and Dean L. Hubbard, Ph.D. Join Ventrias Board of Directors

Ventria Bioscience, a privately held biopharmaceutical company that is leading the development of plant-made pharmaceuticals, announced today that Melvin D. Booth, former President of MedImmune, and Dean L. Hubbard, Ph.D., President of Northwest Missouri State University, have joined the companys Board of Directors.

Maryville, MO (PRWEB) January 28, 2005 -- Ventria Bioscience, a privately held biopharmaceutical company that is leading the development of plant-made pharmaceuticals, announced today that Melvin D. Booth, former President of MedImmune, and Dean L. Hubbard, Ph.D., President of Northwest Missouri State University, have joined the companys Board of Directors.

Mr. Booth has over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He was President and Chief Operating Officer of MedImmune Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDI) for five years and currently serves on MedImmunes Board of Directors. Prior to joining MedImmune, Mr. Booth was President and Chief Operating Officer of Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) and also served on the Board of Directors. In addition, he has served as Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada.

I am greatly impressed by Ventrias product pipeline and underlying technology, which will make a major contribution to human health on a global scale," said Mr. Booth. Ventria is leading the way in developing innovative technologies that enable the production of a broad number of human health products and I am excited to be a part of this innovative company.

Dr. Hubbard has been the President of Northwest Missouri State University since 1984 and has been a leading force in the creation of the Center of Excellence in Plant-made Pharmaceuticals. Under Dr. Hubbards leadership, Northwest has received national attention for its Culture of Quality" to improve the quality of all aspects of the institutions operations. Dr. Hubbard is internationally recognized for his work in the field of total quality management. Dr. Hubbard received his Ph.D. from Stanford University and holds additional degrees from Yonsei University and Andrews University.

I am honored to join Ventrias board of directors," said Dr. Hubbard. As part of realizing our vision for the Center of Excellence in Plant-made Pharmaceuticals at Northwest Missouri State University, I look forward to the collaboration we have established with Ventria and Missouris farmers. This collaboration will develop the necessary infrastructure to convert this technology from lab bench to product success for the benefit of the global community."

We are very pleased to have Mr. Booth and Dr. Hubbard join Ventrias Board of Directors," said Thomas N. Urban, Jr. Chairman of Ventrias Board of Directors. Their vision for creating the Center of Excellence in Plant-made Pharmaceuticals and their expertise will accelerate the commercialization of Ventrias product pipeline and establishes Ventria as the leader in plant-made pharmaceuticals," he said.

Ventria Bioscience is commercializing products that enhance human health and save lives. One of Ventrias products is an improved oral rehydration solution. Oral rehydration solutions are administered to children with acute diarrhea, a condition that claims the lives of 1.3 million children under the age of five on an annual basis.

For more information, see our website at Ventria Bioscience http://www.ventria.com.

Or contact:

Brandy Sargent

Corporate Communications

BSargent@Ventria.com

(916) 921-6148

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