Optigenex Inc. Signs New License and Distribution Agreement With Itochu Corporation...

Optigenex Inc. Signs New License and Distribution Agreement With Itochu
Corporation of Japan

Company extends the term and expands territorial rights of its exclusive
licensee in Japan after Itochu reaches market penetration milestone of 100
customer manufacturers in Japan for cosmeceutical and dietary supplement
products using patented AC-11(R) (formerly known as C-Med- 100(R))

Increase in consumer demand fueled by results of new research showing that
that orally administered AC-11(R) supplement increases the production of
collagen III in the epidermis layer of the skin.

NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Optigenex Inc. (Pink Sheets: OPGX)
announced today the signing of an extended and expanded new contract with its
distribution partner in Asia (Itochu Corporation). Under the new license,
Itochu has the right to market AC-11(R) technology exclusively in Japan and
non-exclusively throughout the rest of Asia (Additional details were not
disclosed). The new agreement represents the fulfillment of an important
strategic objective to the company in terms of its business development plans
for the Asia and further validates its business model in Japan and other
countries in the region.

To date, Itochu has introduced AC-11(R) to over 100 companies in the cosmetic
and dietary supplement market, with over 130 products containing AC-11(R)
being marketed and sold. AC-11(R) is a patented, all-natural rain forest
botanical extract that helps the body's natural ability to repair damage to
its own DNA due to multiple causes, including harmful effects of UV radiation
from over exposure to the sun, stress, environmental pollution and other
toxins. In its standard bulk powder form, AC-11(R) supplement may be consumed
orally or combined with liposomes and other delivery mechanisms for topical
application on the skin.

The increase in demand for AC-11(R)-based products follows the issuance of a
report in October 2008 by a leading French dermatological research center
showing that orally administered AC-11(R) supplement increases the production
of collagen III in the epidermis layer of the skin by stimulating expression
of the COL3A1 gene. Collagen III is important for the development of skin and
the cardiovascular system and for maintaining normal physiological functions
in adult life. Results of the study suggest that oral and topical AC-11(R)
products, when combined, are an inner and outer beauty solution to help
reverse the signs of premature aging.

The French research, which was sponsored by Itochu, compliments earlier
published third party studies demonstrating the effectiveness of AC-11(R) as a
unique DNA repair adjuvant, as well as a natural inhibitor of pro-inflammatory
agents and a natural immune system supporter.

Itochu partners with Optigenex under an Exclusive Supply and Trademark
Licensing Agreement to market AC-11(R) bulk material and consumer products
containing AC-11(R) under sublicenses in Japan and several other Asian
countries.

Daniel Zwiren, president and CEO of Optigenex Inc. said, "We are excited by
our new agreement with Itochu and equally with the results of the French
laboratory study and by Itochu's joint commitment with us to expand the
science behind AC-11(R). The personal care products market in Japan and the
rest of Asia continues to grow. With Itochu's efforts, we are confident that
Optigenex and AC-11(R) will be part of that growth."

Yusuke Itou of Itochu Corporation added the following, "We are very pleased
with the positive reception AC-11(R) has received from manufacturers in Japan
and our expanding role in marketing AC-11(R) in Southeast Asia. We anticipate
strong demand for additional AC-11(R)-based products in the remainder of 2009
and beyond as consumer awareness of the benefits of AC-11(R) for healthy DNA
maintenance and natural skin collagen production increases."

About ITOCHU Corporation:

Itochu Corporation is one of Japan's leading trading companies and is engaged
in a wide variety of businesses, including food products, personal care
products, textiles, technology multimedia, metals, energy, chemicals, forest
products, retail and financial services. Itochu has approximately 45,690
employees maintains over 130 offices and owns over 651 subsidiaries and
affiliates around the world. Itochu's sales last year reached 11.58 trillion
yen (U.S. $95 billion.) (Update sales revenue and company figures)

About Optigenex Inc.:

Optigenex inc. is a formulator, distributor and provider of proprietary next
generation skin care, supplements and bulk ingredient featuring AC-11(R)
(Formerly known as C-MED-100(R)) a patented compound as it core product. AC-
11(R) is the bioactive, water soluble form of the medicinal herb Uncaria
tomentosa. For more information about Optigenex please email the company at:
dzwiren@optigenex.com

SOURCE Optigenex Inc.

Daniel Zwiren, President, Optigenex Inc., +1-201-355-2098,
dzwiren@optigenex.com