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Replies to #6361 on Biotech Values
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DewDiligence

03/03/05 9:52 PM

#8473 RE: AlohaDan #6361

Senomyx Receives Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Determination for Savory Enhancers

[Anyone seen AlohaDan?]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050303/lath037_1.html

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LA JOLLA, Calif., March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Senomyx, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNMX - News) announced today the company has been notified by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) that its savory enhancers S807 and S336 have been determined to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, administered by the United States Food and Drug Administration. In addition, two of the company's other savory enhancers, S263 and S976, which are related to S336, were also determined to be GRAS. These savory enhancers, discovered and developed by Senomyx, are intended to provide for the reduction or elimination of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and to augment the flavor of naturally occurring glutamate found in many food and beverage products. The GRAS determination will enable incorporation of Senomyx's savory enhancers into a variety of food products including sauces, frozen foods, processed cheese and snack foods.

Extensive scientific safety data were submitted by Senomyx to the expert panel of FEMA for GRAS determination. In 1960, FEMA established the FEMA Expert Panel as an independent group of scientific experts to review the safety of flavoring substances and ensure that such substances added to foods are safe for their intended use. The Expert Panel has operated continuously since it was first appointed in 1960 and has determined more than two thousand substances are GRAS.

"Receiving GRAS determination for our savory enhancers represents a very important milestone for Senomyx as we move towards the commercialization phase of our company," stated Kent Snyder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Senomyx. "Now that we have received the GRAS determination, consumer acceptance testing of our savory enhancers can begin. We anticipate that the first commercial sale of products that include our savory enhancers will occur during the first half of 2006, which would result in royalty payments to Senomyx."
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