Embrex Opens First Manufacturing Plant to Produce Novel In Ovo Vaccine Against Poultry Disease

Embrex Opens First Manufacturing Plant to Produce Novel In Ovo
Vaccine Against Poultry Disease 


LAURINBURG, N.C., April 7  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Embrex, Inc., The In Ovo
Company(SM),  recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by North Carolina
Governor Mike Easley to commemorate the opening of a "first of its kind"
biological manufacturing facility.  Known as Embrex Poultry Health, Embrex
intends to use the Laurinburg, North Carolina facility to produce its novel
Inovocox(TM) in ovo coccidiosis vaccine upon approval from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.  The opening occurred on March 30, 2004. 

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"Our history as a home-grown North Carolina company is impressive, and in our
view, fits exactly the sweet spot that this state is looking at as it continues
to build its support for the biotech industry and bio- manufacturing," said
Randall L. Marcuson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Embrex.  "Since
our founding in 1985, Embrex has brought into the state of North Carolina a
total of almost $400 million - from the early venture capital investments at our
founding, to the first initial public offering in 1991 by a North Carolina based
biotech company, to many millions of dollars in R&D grant monies, to $46 million
of revenues in 2003.  This is money which we have reinvested in salaries, R&D,
products, and now this plant which,according the North Carolina Biotechnology
Center is the first stand- alone, bio-manufacturing facility to be built by a
North Carolina-based biotech company."

In his remarks, North Carolina Governor Easley said: "Embrex has been a strong
corporate citizen and has continued to invest in the state.  Their decision to
locate here in Laurinburg means approximately 40 good jobs for North Carolina
families and a great investment for Scotland County."

According to Embrex, Laurinburg has been identified for its experienced
manufacturing base, significant ties to agriculture, access to major
transportation corridors, labor availability, and a good quality of life.

Embrex employs 274 people worldwide, 167 of whom are located in North Carolina.

About theBiologics Manufacturing Facility

Design and construction of Embrex's state-of-the-art biological manufacturing
facility was managed by the Raleigh office of Lockwood Greene, a firm with
extensive experience in the design and construction of pharmaceutical
manufacturing facilities.  The main manufacturing facility will house vaccine
purification, sterile filling, shipping and receiving, as well as quality
control laboratories.  The site will also include poultry brooder houses and a
building for the initial steps of the production process. Certain aspects of the
novel manufacturing process are unique and proprietary to Embrex.  The facility
is located in the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport Industrial Park.  Initially, the
company expects to employ approximately 13 people, targeting growth to nearly 40
when in full production.

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the chicken's digestive system. While
seldom fatal, it causes weight depression, lower feed conversion ratios,
intestinal lesions and diarrhea.  The market for existing products to treat
coccidiosis worldwide is estimated to be $350 million.  With approximately 70%
of the world's poultry produced outside the United States, Embrex expects the
sales and export opportunity for Inovocox(TM) in ovo vaccine to be substantial. 
Embrex's Inovocox(TM) coccidiosis vaccine, currently under review by the USDA,
is a novel in ovo biological control method for coccidiosis.  Large-scale field
trial results have demonstrated safety and efficacy.

About Scotland County

Scotland County is located in Southeastern North Carolina halfway between
Charlotte and Wilmington, and approximately 90 miles from Raleigh. Laurinburg,
the county seat, is home to 17,000 people as well as many small and large
companies.

About Embrex

Embrex, Inc., The In Ovo Company(SM), headquartered in Research Triangle Park,
NC, is an international agricultural biotechnology company engaged in the
development of innovative in ovo (in the egg) solutions that meet the needs of
today's global poultry industry.  The company's unique integration of several
scientific and engineering disciplines enables it to be the leading provider of
in ovo, value-added solutions with its automated injection and detection devices
as wellas its select vaccines.  For additional information, visit the company
web site at http://www.embrex.com/ .

This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements with
respect to future financial results, products, services, and markets. These
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially.  Risks include without limitation risks associated with
bringing a new facility on line, including the possibility of production delays.
 Other risks include the degree of growth in the poultry industry in the U.S.
and globally, possible decreases in production by our customers, market
acceptance and cost of expansion in new geographic markets and with new
products, including the Company's abilityto penetrate new markets and the
degree of market acceptance of new products including Inovocox(TM), the complete
commercial development of potential future products on a cost effective basis,
including with respect to Gender Sort and Inovocox(TM), andthe ability to
obtain regulatory approval of products.  Such approval is dependent upon a
number of factors, such as results of trials, the discretion of regulatory
officials, and potential changes in regulations. Additional information on these
risks and other factors, which could affect the Company's financial results, is
included in the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

Embrex(R), Inovocox(TM) and The In Ovo Company(SM) are trademarks of Embrex,
Inc.

  CONTACT:  Ellen T. Moore
            Vice President, Investor Relations
            & Corporate Communications
            [phone]


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DATASOURCE: Embrex, Inc.



CONTACT:  Ellen T. Moore, Vice President, Investor Relations

& Corporate Communications of Embrex, Inc., [phone]



Web site:  http://www.embrex.com/ 

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