Burcon granted U.S. patent

Patent granted for Enhanced Oilseed Protein Recovery

VANCOUVER, Aug. 24 /CNW/ - Burcon NutraScience Corporation (TSX-V: BU)
announces today that it has been granted a U.S. patent for a novel and
commercially important component of its protein extraction and purification
technology. The newly granted patent - United States Patent Number 7,087,720;
"Enhanced Oilseed Protein Recovery" - covers critical processing conditions
which enable an improved yield of oilseed protein isolate, preferably canola
protein isolate, in an oilseed meal aqueous extraction procedure.

The principal value of the unique processing conditions captured by this
patent is a marked improvement in protein recovery. Additionally, the
functional and nutritional qualities of the protein isolates produced are also
improved through the same processing modifications.

Burcon now holds five U.S. patents over canola protein processing
technology and canola protein isolate product uses.

Burcon has filed patent applications for eighteen additional inventions.
These patent applications, which are currently being reviewed by the United
States Patent and Trademark Office, can be segregated into three general
categories. First, Burcon has made patent applications to protect further
novel processing steps for the extraction and purification of proteins from
oilseed meals including canola meal. Second, Burcon has filed patents over the
uses of Puratein(R) and Supertein(TM), for example as functional food and
beverage ingredients. Third, Burcon has filed for patents over the "signature
characteristics" of its products, including its canola proteins Puratein(R)
and Supertein(TM).

In addition to its U.S. patent applications, Burcon has filed
applications for most of its inventions internationally under the Patent
Cooperation Treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organization in some 35
countries, including the European Union, Japan, China, India, Australia, New
Zealand, and Canada.

"It is a pleasure to see our research efforts come to fruition in the
form of registered patents," stated Johann F. Tergesen, Burcon's President &
COO. "Burcon's intellectual property portfolio is our principal asset and
represents the innovations and efforts of our research team's past eight years
of work," said Mr. Tergesen

Under the terms of the license and development agreement with Archer
Daniels Midland ("ADM"), ADM can commercially utilize Burcon's intellectual
property portfolio for the extraction and purification of canola protein
isolates - namely Puratein(R) and Supertein(TM) - in all geographic regions
and for all uses. The newly granted U.S. patent described in this news release
was specifically referenced in the September 2003 license and development
agreement.

About Burcon NutraScience

Burcon is a research and development company developing a portfolio of
composition, application, and process patents around its plant protein
extraction and purification technology. The goal of Burcon's research is to
develop its patented process to utilize inexpensive oilseed meals for the
production of purified plant proteins that exhibit valuable nutritional,
functional, or nutraceutical profiles. Burcon, in conjunction with Archer
Daniels Midland, is currently focusing its efforts on developing the world's
first commercial canola proteins, Puratein(R) and Supertein(TM). Canola,
recognized for its nutritional qualities, is the second-largest oilseed crop
in the world after soybeans. Burcon's goal is to develop Puratein and
Supertein to participate with soy, dairy, and egg proteins in the expanding
multi-billion-dollar protein ingredient market, with potential uses in
prepared foods, nutritional supplements, and personal care products.

The TSX Venture Exchange 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 that involve
risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among
other things, plans and timing for the introduction or enhancement of our
products, statements about future market conditions, supply and demand
conditions, and other expectations, intentions and plans contained in this
press release that are not historical fact. Our expectations regarding the
prospect for future success depend upon our ability to develop and sell
products, which we do not produce today and cannot be sold without further
research and development. When used in this press release, the words "goal,"
"intend," "believes" and "potential" and similar expressions, generally
identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current
expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. In
light of the many risks and uncertainties surrounding the development of a
source of protein from canola meal, you should understand that we cannot
assure you that the forward looking statements contained in this press release
will be realized.