Burcon and HPS Receive Significant Customer Interest from Hempseed Protein Isolate Launch

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 3, 2023) - Burcon NutraScience Corporation (TSX: BU) ("Burcon" or the "Company"), a global technology leader in the development of plant-based proteins for foods and beverages, is proud to announce the successful launch of the world's first high purity hempseed protein isolate at two separate trade shows - the Institute of Food Technologists 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition ("IFT FIRST") in July, and Natural Products Expo East in September. This innovative product has since garnered immense interest from customers and industry experts.

The level of interest from industry peers and potential customers has far exceeded Burcon's expectations, with numerous inquiries and requests for product samples. We believe this overwhelming response underscores the growing demand for high quality, sustainable, and superior tasting plant-based protein options.

HPS Food and Ingredients Inc. ("HPS") and Burcon are actively engaged in providing samples, sharing product data, and collaborating to develop consumer food applications for this unique hempseed protein. The two companies have prioritized prospective customer engagement to cater to the significant interest for a high-quality hempseed protein isolate. Collaborating with potential customers is an essential market validation step in bringing this protein to market.

Key highlights of our high purity hempseed protein isolate include:

  1. Unrivaled Purity: Our proprietary hempseed protein isolate extraction and purification/production process can produce a high-quality protein ingredient that contains 95% pure protein, is free from contaminants and has minimal flavor impact.

  1. Exceptional Taste and Color: The high purity hempseed protein isolate boasts an impressive clean flavor profile and off-white color that is expected to enable formulators to create innovative great-tasting consumer products.

  1. Sustainability: Burcon's hempseed protein isolate production/extraction and purification process uses hempseed grown and processed in North America, which is known for its minimal environmental footprint, its role in promoting soil health and regenerative agriculture.

"We are thrilled by the tremendous interest and demand for our high purity hempseed protein isolate following its unveiling at IFT FIRST," said Kip Underwood, Burcon's chief executive officer. "This soft launch will provide an opportunity for our valued customers to experience the exceptional quality and versatility of our product firsthand, begin product development and be one of the first to offer customers a truly innovative sensory experience."

"We are dedicated to fostering strong relationships with our customers and ensuring they have the necessary support to harness the potential of our hempseed protein isolate," said Marc van Burck, HPS's chief executive officer. "Their valuable insights and feedback have been instrumental in refining our market approach and tailoring it to meet the evolving needs of our customers around the world."

For inquiries regarding product samples and information, prospective customers are encouraged to reach out to HPS Sales Team here.

About HPS Food and Ingredients Inc.

HPS Food & Ingredients is a global leader in value-added processing of plant proteins, seeds & grains, oils, flours, fibers and starches, for premium food markets and food companies around the globe. We produce nutritious, North American grown non-GMO, gluten-free ingredient products at our dedicated production facilities in Manitoba, Canada. We provide quality ingredient solutions for the global food marketplace. For more information, visit hpsfood.ca.

About Burcon NutraScience Corporation

Burcon is a global technology leader in the development of plant-based proteins for foods and beverages. Our proteins exhibit superior functionality, taste and nutrition, making them ideal ingredients for food formulators. With over two decades of experience, Burcon has amassed an extensive patent portfolio covering its specialty plant-based proteins derived from pea, canola, soy, hemp and sunflower seeds, among other plant sources. Burcon is striving to become a vertically integrated provider of specialty plant-based protein solutions that deliver on health, nutrition and sustainability. Supporting the growing trend towards a plant-based diet, Burcon is developing premium protein ingredients that we believe are better for you and better for the planet. For more information, visit burcon.ca.

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of the content of the information contained herein. This press release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performances, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "aim", "intend," "plan," "goal," "project," "estimate," "expect," "believe," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "could," "will" and similar references to future periods. All statements included in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Burcon's plans and expectations include the implementation of our business model and growth strategies; trends and competition in our industry our future business development, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to obtain financing cost-effectively; potential changes of government regulations; and other risks and factors detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Burcon with securities regulators and stock exchanges, including in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Burcon's annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2023 and its other public filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Any forward-looking statement or information speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Burcon disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Burcon believes the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and, accordingly, investors should not rely on such statements.

Industry and Investor Contact
Paul Lam
Director, Investor Relations and Communications
Burcon NutraScience Corporation
Tel (604) 733-0896, Toll-free (888) 408-7960
plam@burcon.ca www.burcon.ca

Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, APR
President
Campbell & Company Public Relations
Tel (604) 888-5267
TECH@CCOM-PR.COM

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182300

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