Joint Venture Leads to New Antioxidant Product

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.OXIS International, Inc., (OTCBB:OXIS)(Paris:OXI) has launched its new antioxidant product line featuring  L-ergothioneine (EGT), via a joint venture with with engage:BDR, a leading full-service digital advertising and marketing agency. According tot he partnership, OXIS International will develop and manufacture the EGT line of products, while engage:BDR will promote, market and create a full digital advertising campaign for the line, targeting an audience of more than 109 million through its advertising network as well as mobile and video advertising.

"We have an unprecedented opportunity to introduce our proprietary EGT(TM) based products direct to consumers with the help of our partners at engage:BDR," said David Saloff, chairman and CEO of OXIS International, which holds the exclusive patent to manufacture EGT, which has received full GRAS (generally recognized as safe) approval. "Their outstanding track record executing direct-to-consumer products and ability to deliver our product message to a very targeted audience will make for a very successful launch."

Oxis noted EGT is referred to as the "intelligent antioxidant" because it is the only antioxidant with a dedicated transport mechanism in the body to deliver it through the cell membrane and even into the mitochondria, the energy producing area of the cell. The company further said when other powerful antioxidants are also present, the body preferentially utilizes ergothioneine.

"OXIS International has illustrated tremendous expertise in product development and manufacturing in creating the EGT product line which we're extremely excited to deliver to the market," said Ted Dhanik, president of engage:BDR. "Engage:BDR delivers an end-to-end digital advertising services for companies like OXIS to reach their audience, leveraging our extensive reach and proprietary methodologies which we feel will boost their bottom line."

The first product in the line to debut is ErgoFlex, which the company called "a unique, clinically-proven dietary supplement for the rapid relief of joint pain and improved mobility." Oxis reported the product was successfully test marketed in a direct mail campaign by Oxis in 2011. Additional products are expected to launch in early summer.