Research Shows Promise for Easy, Effective Management of Sow Breeding (March 7, 2005)

BELLEVILLE, ON, March 7, 2005 – Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC), a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced that recent research using Bioniche products has shown the potential to consistently predict the timing of ovulation in sows.


Dr. Glen Cassar, Assistant Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph presented his research, “Towards Timed Single Insemination in Sows”, at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians in Toronto today. Dr. Cassar’s research showed that when Canadian Bioniche products Pregnecol (eCG) and Lutropin-V (pLH) were administered at specific times, ovulation was managed so precisely that just a single, timed, insemination was effective in more than 89% of the sows.


According to Dr. Cassar, “Synchronization of estrus and ovulation with eCG and pLH has the potential to revolutionize sow breeding by artificial insemination.”


“It has been very exciting to watch this research unfold,” said Rick Culbert, President of Bioniche Animal Health Canada. “Most sows currently receive two or more inseminations. A timed single insemination would make it practical to use more premium semen, and realize the benefits of superior genetics.”


Richard Smelski of Ontario Swine Improvement has been working to calculate the potential financial return of this new breeding technology through the use of a computerized pork production model. The calculations were based on a 500 sow farrow to finish herd, using input costs of $10 per sow for Pregnecol and Lutropin, and $7.00 for a single dose of semen. His model demonstrated that with each 5% improvement in farrowing rate, a greater than 2 to 1 return on investment would be realized. An additional reward is the reallocation of labour formerly spent on heat detection and breeding to other objectives such as reducing piglet mortality.


Hog farmers wishing more information on Pregnecol (eCG) and Lutropin-V (pLH) are advised to contact their veterinarians. Further research to validate these results is underway.


About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.


Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The fully-integrated company employs more than 300 skilled personnel and has three principal operating divisions: Animal Health, Food Safety, and Human Health, which includes Bioniche Therapeutics and Bioniche Pharma Group. The Company’s primary goal is to develop proprietary cancer therapies supported by revenues from marketed products in human and animal health. For more information, please visit www.bioniche.com



About Bioniche Animal Health


The Animal Health Division of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. has marketing subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States. It is responsible for research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of veterinary biologics, pharmaceuticals, and nutritionals. This Division has a global portfolio of 60 products, which fall into the categories of: reproduction and embryo transfer; immunostimulants; and vaccines. Many of the innovative technologies discovered and developed by Bioniche Animal Health have been further developed by Bioniche Therapeutics (in the Human Health Division of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.) into effective treatments for human health conditions.


Except for historical information, this news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties which may cause, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.


For further information, please contact:


Jennifer Shea
Corporate Communications Manager
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (613) 966-8058 ext. 1250
Cell: (613) 391-2097
Jennifer.Shea@Bioniche.com