Love Cats, But Suffer From Allergies? ALLERCA Unveils the World's First Scientifically Proven Hypoallergenic Cats as an Alternative to Current Feline Allergy Treatments

SAN DIEGO, June 7, 2006

ALLERCA today unveiled the world's first scientifically proven hypoallergenic cats that allow allergic consumers to enjoy the love and companionship of a pet without the cost, inconvenience, risk and limited effectiveness of current feline allergy treatments. ALLERCA's first customers are expected to take delivery of their hypoallergenic kittens in early 2007. The ALLERCA hypoallergenic cat is the first of a planned series of lifestyle pets that ALLERCA will develop over the next few years.

By using proprietary genetic technology, ALLERCA manipulated naturally occurring genetic variations in cats, specifically targeting the gene Fel D1 that is responsible for the production of the common cat allergen. ALLERCA's technology detected genetic divergences consisting of minute variations in the "code" of the Fel D1 gene sequence. By selectively breeding these genetically divergent (GD) cats and testing the presence of this divergent "code" in the offspring, ALLERCA was able to produce the world's first scientifically proven, genetically divergent hypoallergenic cats.

In recent exposure trials, individuals with known feline allergies were fully exposed to the ALLERCA GD cats, without demonstrating any allergic reactions. When these same individuals were subsequently exposed to non-GD cats, they had immediate allergic reactions that included swollen eyes, difficulty in breathing and hives.

"We are thrilled and excited about this scientific breakthrough," said Megan Young, CEO of ALLERCA. "For the first time, people who have been unable to own a cat because of their allergies can now enjoy a pet of their own without the associated risks and costs of allergy treatments. What is also surprising are the numbers of non-cat allergic individuals who have expressed an interest in owning an ALLERCA GD kitten. We all know someone who suffers from cat allergies and the benefits of owning an ALLERCA GD cat apply to everyone."

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology approximately 30 million Americans suffer from some form of cat allergy. Cat allergen is one of the three major risk factors for developing childhood allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases that are becoming a serious public health issue.

Young continued, "Additionally, ALLERCA GD cats will have a positive impact on the unwanted cat population. Many times, a new cat owner discovers that someone in their immediate household has serious feline allergies and ends up either abandoning the kitten or giving the animal to a shelter. Also, all ALLERCA GD kittens are spayed or neutered before we deliver them to their new owners."

One of the first people to order an ALLERCA hypoallergenic kitten is Nina Greenberg who lives in New York City with her two children, Lauren and Nicolette. "We are delighted," she said. "We are all allergic to cats and anxiously await our new kitten. It's well worth the wait." When asked to comment on the price of the ALLERCA GD cat, Nina stated, "This is a family pet that is ideal for us. There is a cost associated with everything in this world and having a cat that will not make us allergic is certainly a worthwhile investment."

Priced at $3,950 per kitten, ALLERCA GD kittens can now be purchased through the ALLERCA web-based reservation system or by contacting ALLERCA's sales department.

More information can be found at: http://www.allerca.com/