SYGEN INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF FACILITY IN FRANKLIN

FRANKLIN, KY - Governor Paul E. Patton and Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Gene Strong welcomed Sygen International's decision to expand its current operation in Franklin, which is expected to create approximately 25 new Kentucky jobs. PIC, a subsidiary of Sygen International, operates its North American division from the Kentucky location.

Sygen International is approaching final planning stages for the development of two dedicated research facilities (swine and shrimp) at the Franklin site. This decision will allow the company to have a world class research and development center and remain close to its major customers in its largest market. In addition to this new laboratory, Sygen will continue to operate its other laboratory in Cambridge, UK.

PIC is the world's largest and most extensive pig breeding company. With operations and licensed distributors in 30 countries, the company today supplies more products worldwide than any other seedstock company. Since the beginning of its US operations in 1973, the company has expanded rapidly and currently employs 180 throughout its facilities in KY.

"This is a most welcome investment in the local economy," said Governor Patton. "There is no greater compliment for the Commonwealth than to have one of our corporate citizens choose to expand in Kentucky."

"Our goal remains to be the leader in creating value through the innovative application of quantitative genetics and biotechnology to animal breeding," says Phillip J. David, CEO. "Our products, technology and people have enabled us to meet this goal in the pig industry. We also intend to build our presence in other species, starting with shrimp."

PIC USA received preliminary approval from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) for tax credits under the Kentucky Jobs Development Act (KJDA), a program aimed at increasing employment in the Commonwealth.

Company Contact: Anne Mann, PIC USA Email: anne.mann@pic.com

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2002 totaled more than $3.2 billion with the creation of nearly 13,000 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at www.thinkkentucky.com.