news releases

BURCON APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

Vancouver, British Columbia, May 1, 2009 – Burcon NutraScience Corporation (TSX-V: BU) announces today the appointment of Ms. Marina Mez as Director, Corporate Development. 

Ms. Mez brings 12 years of work experience in marketing, sales, research and analysis with investment banks JP Morgan and UBS in London and Frankfurt.  As Associate Director & Deputy Head of the # 1 ranked European Corporate Access Team at UBS, Ms. Mez was responsible for corporate relationships with European blue chip companies, providing market intelligence and developing a comprehensive framework for UBS’ branded roadshow service.  Most recently, she worked with Mackenzie Financial Services in Vancouver.

Ms. Mez holds a Bachelor in Logistics and Organization from the University of Ludwigshafen (Germany).  In addition to her international business experience, she is fluent in English, German, Swiss German and French.  Her energy and enthusiasm will be an asset to the Burcon team.  

Burcon also announces today the departure of Mr. Mark Komonoski.  Mr. Komonoski has performed certain investor relations and communications services for Burcon pursuant to an Investor Relations Service Agreement (the "Agreement") dated as of December 8, 2008.  Under the terms of the Agreement, either party may terminate the Agreement upon 30 days' written notice to the other party. 

About Burcon NutraScience

Burcon is a leader in nutrition, health and wellness in the field of functional, renewable plant proteins.  Since 1999, Burcon has developed a portfolio of composition, application, and process patents originating from our core protein extraction and purification technology. We are developing the world's first commercial canola proteins, Puratein^®and Supertein^™with unique functional and nutritional attributes, and Clarisoy^™, a revolutionary soy protein isolate which is 100% soluble and completely transparent in acidic solutions. Our team of highly specialized scientists and engineers work from our own research facility to develop and optimize environmentally sound technologies. To-date, our patent portfolio consists of 84 issued patents worldwide, including 8 issued U.S. patents, and well in excess of 200 additional pending patent applications, 54 of which are U.S. patent applications.

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ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Johann F. Tergesen”
Johann F. Tergesen
President and Chief Operating Officer

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.

For more information, please contact:

Jade Cheng, Chief Financial Officer
Burcon NutraScience Corporation
(604) 733-0896 / (888) 408-7960 toll-free
jcheng@burcon.ca www.burcon.ca

AXINO AG
Sven Olsson, Investor Relations Europe
Silberburgstraße 112, D-70176 Stuttgart, Germany
Tel. +49-711-25 35 92-30 / Fax +49-711-25 35 92-33
olsson@axino.de www.burcon.net