Tromsø, Norway, 28. May 2020 - Biotec Pharmacon (OSE: Biotec) announces its
subsidiary, ArcticZymes AS, has been granted by Innovation Norway up to NOK 1.6
million for a project to commercialize additional enzyme components required by
diagnostic developers.

ArcticZymes Cod UNG enzyme offers diagnostic developers a superior enzyme-based
solution for preventing false-positive results without affecting sensitivity in
molecular diagnostic tests. Since the commercialization of Cod UNG in 2004, the
enzyme has been integrated into a broad range of diagnostic tests by commercial
partners. Furthermore, Cod UNG has been essential for many companies developing
and marketing molecular diagnostic tests to detect RNA viruses such as HIV and
Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Following the Covid-19 outbreak, ArcticZymes has experienced upsides in sales
with numerous companies who have integrated Cod UNG into their COVID-19
diagnostic tests. Beyond Cod UNG, viral diagnostic developers have repeatedly
expressed the need for additional enzyme components not currently offered by
ArcticZymes. Examples include high-grade DNA polymerases and reverse
transcriptases, which are integral to PCR, LAMP and other amplification
technologies. Such technologies will drive innovation of the second generation
of COVID-19 diagnostic tests by commercial partners.

In the pursuit to provide a more complete commercial offering, ArcticZymes aims
to supply all essential enzyme components to viral diagnostic developers. In
supporting this initiative, the project will broaden and accelerate the
company's capacity to innovate and commercialize such enzymes without
compromising the existing product development pipeline. The project is estimated
to be completed within 18 months.

ArcticZymes AS, CEO, Jethro Holter said:

"ArcticZymes have been a critical supplier to viral diagnostic companies for
over a decade with Cod UNG representing our lead product. The main commercial
objectives of this project are twofold. First it is to build other core enzymes
around Cod UNG specific to viral diagnostics which can be exploited in the
second generation of COVID-19 diagnostic tests and tests for future emerging
viruses. Secondly, it expands ongoing innovation efforts towards achieving
ArcticZymes strategic goal in becoming Europe's leading one-stop-shop for
enzymes.

We are grateful to Innovation Norway for supporting the project and recognizing
the valuable contribution ArcticZymes is making towards improving infectious
disease healthcare."

Thomas Stien, Financial Advisor, Innovation Norway, added:

"As part of the Norwegian government's efforts to limit the effects of the
coronavirus eruption, Innovation Norway has been given an increased limit for
innovation grants aimed at companies with growth ambitions. The grant will help
companies continue to pursue good innovation projects - or facilitate new ones.

We prioritize innovation projects that have great utility, high degree of
innovation and likelihood of success. This product development meets a specific
need in the global market and will contribute to strengthening ArcticZymes
competitiveness. In addition, it will most likely result in more jobs in the
region."

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Dr Jethro Holter, CEO            Tel: +47 46 85 91 46
                       Email: Jethro.Holter@biotec.no

About Biotec Pharmacon ASA

Biotec Pharmacon is a Norwegian life sciences company focused on specialized,
novel enzyme and immunomodulating beta-glucan technology.

The Biotec Pharmacon Group is creating value from innovation in life science
markets via its subsidiaries, ArcticZymes and Biotec BetaGlucans. Its
technologies capitalize on more than three decades of world-class research at
the Arctic University of Tromsø to offer niche and high-tech products in several
biotech segments.

For more information, please visit the website:
www.biotec.no (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2F
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About ArcticZymes AS

ArcticZymes develops, produces and markets novel recombinant enzymes for use in
molecular research, In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) and therapeutics.

The Company focuses on novel and high-quality enzyme technologies in growth
markets where rapid technological developments are creating a strong demand for
new and improved enzymes. Some of its enzymes' unique features include heat
lability and activity in challenging environments as well as customized,
engineered novel features which can be integrated to power the technologies of
commercial partners.

All ArcticZymes products are ISO13485 certified.

For more information, please visit:
www.arcticzymes.com (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A
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2F%2Fwww.arcticzymes.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cborge.sorvoll%40biotec.no%7C431a74511
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