Former HHS Secretary Embraces Technology's Value to Human Health SAN DIEGO, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PURE Bioscience (OTC:PURE) (BULLETIN BOARD: PURE) today announced that Tommy G. Thompson, former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and former four-term Governor of Wisconsin, has joined its Board of Directors. In addition to joining the PURE Board, Secretary Thompson has been retained by PURE as a business development consultant. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060119/LATH060LOGO ) PURE's flagship bioscience technology is an aqueous antimicrobial, silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC). A patented new molecule, SDC is an electrolytically generated source of stabilized ionic silver that can serve as the basis for a broad range of products in diverse markets. SDC liquid is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-caustic and formulates well with other compounds. As a platform technology, SDC is distinguished from competitors in the marketplace because of its superior efficacy combined with reduced toxicity. Secretary Thompson stated, "I look forward to working with PURE to immediately accelerate the recognition and implementation of SDC as a truly new disinfectant while simultaneously exploring new markets and continuing the Company's development of SDC as a therapeutic pharmaceutical ingredient. "We are honored that Secretary Thompson has joined the PURE Bioscience Board. Tommy has a long track record of extraordinary leadership in government and health care," stated Michael L. Krall, President and CEO of PURE Bioscience. "Tommy's experience with and commitment to improving domestic and international health care will provide valuable guidance to our Board as we continue to develop our technology and its place in the market." PURE has entered into a non-exclusive supply and distribution agreement with Enviroguard Sciences LLC under which Enviroguard will market and sell PURE's silver dihydrogen citrate-based products, beginning with the hard surface disinfectant. Secretary Thompson has an ownership stake in Enviroguard Sciences LLC. Secretary Thompson is currently the Independent Chairman of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, a partner at the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and President of Logistics Health Incorporated. Secretary Thompson is building on his efforts as HHS Secretary and Governor to develop innovative solutions to the health care challenges facing American families, businesses, communities, states and the nation as a whole. These efforts focus on improving the use of information technology in hospitals, clinics and doctors offices; promoting healthier lifestyles; strengthening and modernizing Medicare and Medicaid; and expanding the use of medical diplomacy around the world. Secretary Thompson served as HHS Secretary from 2001 to 2005 and is one of the nation's leading advocates for the health and welfare of all Americans. Secretary Thompson has dedicated his professional life to public service and made Wisconsin state history when he was re-elected to his gubernatorial office for a third term in 1994 and a fourth term in 1998. Secretary Thompson began his career in public service in 1966 as a representative in Wisconsin's state Assembly. He was elected assistant Assembly minority leader in 1973 and Assembly minority leader in 1981. Secretary Thompson has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Anti-Defamation League's Distinguished Public Service Award. In 1997, the Secretary received Governing Magazine's Public Official of the Year Award, and the Horatio Alger Award in 1998. The Secretary has also served as chairman of the National Governors' Association, the Education Commission of the States and the Midwestern Governors' Conference. Secretary Thompson also served in the Wisconsin National Guard and the Army Reserve. Silver Dihydrogen Citrate Sets New Standards PURE currently sells its first commercialized SDC product, Axen30(R) hard surface disinfectant, to commercial, industrial and consumer markets including restaurants, homes and medical facilities. The hard surface disinfection EPA registration includes a 30 second kill time on standard indicator bacteria, a 24 hour residual kill on standard indicator bacteria, a 2 minute kill time on some resistant strains of bacteria, 10 minute kill time on fungi, 30 second kill time on HIV Type I, and 10 minute kill time on other pathogenic viruses. These claims distinguish the efficacy of PURE's disinfectant from many of the leading commercial and consumer products currently on the market, while maintaining lower toxicity ratings. Based on the EPA toxicity categorization of antimicrobial products that ranges from Category I (high toxicity) down to Category IV, PURE's disinfectant is an EPA Category IV antimicrobial for which precautionary labeling statements are normally not required. This compares with Category II warning statements for most leading brands of disinfectant products. PURE has begun initial sales of SDC concentrate for integration as a preservative or active antimicrobial ingredient in existing third party products. PURE expects to realize revenues not only from raw material sales but also from licensing and/or royalties. Longer-term revenues are expected from the inclusion of SDC as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial for use in pharmaceutical, dental and veterinary products. PURE is initially pursuing approvals through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with its partner Therapeutics, Inc., which is funding and managing the testing and regulatory process for at least two potential FDA regulated SDC-based products. About PURE Bioscience PURE Bioscience (PURE) develops and markets technology-based bioscience products that provide non-toxic solutions to numerous global health challenges. PURE's proprietary high efficacy/low toxicity bioscience technologies, including its silver dihydrogen citrate-based antimicrobials and boric acid-based pesticides, represent innovative advances in diverse markets and lead today's global trend toward industry and consumer use of "green" products while providing competitive advantages in efficacy and safety. PURE Bioscience, headquartered in El Cajon, California, (San Diego metropolitan area), was incorporated in 1992. For additional information on PURE Bioscience, visit the Company's website: http://www.purebio.com/. This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe", "estimate", "project", "expect" or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, acceptance of the Company's current and future products and services in the marketplace, the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive regulatory approvals of such products, competitive factors, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release. Media Contact: Investor Contact: Jennifer Mitchell, Mentus Terri MacInnis, Bibicoff & Associates, Inc. 858-455-5500 818-379.8500 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060119/LATH060LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: PURE Bioscience CONTACT: Jennifer Mitchell of Mentus, +1-858-455-5500, , for PURE Bioscience; or Terri MacInnis of Bibicoff & Associates, Inc., +1-818-379-8500, , for PURE Bioscience Web site: http://www.purebio.com/

Copyright