Oragenics, Inc. Seeks Patent For Novel Agent To Treat Obesity

ALACHUA, Fla., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Oragenics, Inc. announced today that it has filed a U.S. patent application covering the intellectual property surrounding its small molecule anti-obesity agent, LPT3-04, and its analogs. As a natural substance, LPT3-04 is orally available and has an excellent safety and tolerability profile. The technology is currently at a late discovery stage, and the company intends to continue development of this proprietary technology while it seeks a commercial partner actively involved in anti-obesity therapeutics.

Cell culture studies and specific animal models of obesity have been used to identify the primary mechanism of action for promoting weight loss. LPT3-04 appears to target fat cells and, specifically, induce apoptosis in white adipose cells. This effect occurs in a dose-dependent fashion. Dr. Robert Zahradnik, Oragenics’ President and CEO, stated, “The prevalence of obesity has increased significantly in the past few decades, with huge public health costs attached to this chronic disease. There are only a small number of products currently marketed to treat obesity. Further scientific development remains before we can begin human clinical trials, but we are excited about the commercial potential for our novel small molecule, and its analogs, for regulation of body weight.”

About Oragenics

Oragenics is focused on the development of novel technologies and products to address significant, unmet medical needs. Oragenics’ strategy is to license and develop products through human proof-of-concept studies prior to partnering with major pharmaceutical, biotechnology or healthcare product firms for advanced clinical development and commercialization. Oragenics plans to focus its development efforts primarily on its three lead products, which all address potentially major market opportunities:

* SMaRT Replacement Therapy(TM) is a single, painless topical treatment that has the potential to offer life-long protection from most tooth decay.

* MU 1140(TM) is a novel antibiotic with activity against many Gram- positive bacteria including multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. MU 1140 has a number of other characteristics that suggest its potential use in the treatment of a variety of infectious diseases.

* Probiora 3(TM) Oral Probiotic is a daily consumer product that employs naturally occurring beneficial bacteria to promote dental and periodontal health.

For more information about Oragenics, please consult the company’s website at http://www.oragenics.com .

Safe Harbor Statement: Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements that reflect Oragenics’ current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward- looking statements. Investors should be cautious in relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to those set forth in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-KSB and quarterly report on Form 10-QSB, and other factors detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update forward-looking statements.

Oragenics, Inc.

CONTACT: Paul A. Hassie, Oragenics, Inc., +1-386-418-4018, ext. 232