BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- OXIS International, Inc., (OTC Bulletin Board: OXIS; Euronext Paris: OXI) today announced that is has filed a patent application titled "Methods and Compositions Using Ergothioneine to Treat a Variety of Health Related Factors" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

"This patent application filing is an important step toward expanding our already strong intellectual property portfolio for Ergothioneine," said Bernie Landes, president of OXIS International.  "The application also supports the recent launch of ErgoFlex™ for joint pain relief. ErgoFlex is the first in a series of ERGO-based commercial products we plan to introduce in coming months."

Specifically, the application relates to the use of Ergothioneine compositions containing one or more additional nutraceutical compounds to improve a variety of health related factors, including, but not limited to, brain health, joint health, eye health, mitochondrial optimization/improvement and to reduce inflammation and pain.

The application also includes information and data from several clinical and animal studies examining Ergothioneine's safety profile and benefits relating to health issues associated with oxidative stress.

About OXIS International, Inc.

OXIS International, Inc. develops technologies and products to research, diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of oxidative stress/inflammation associated with damage from free radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The company holds the rights to several therapeutic classes of compounds in the area of oxidative stress, and has focused commercialization programs that include SOD (superoxide dismutase), MPO (myeloperoxidase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase), as well as a highly potent antioxidant, Ergothioneine, that may be sold over-the-counter (OTC) as a dietary supplement. Ergothioneine can also be sold to the cosmetics markets as well as the functional food and beverage markets.  For more information, please visit www.oxis.com

Forward-Looking Statements

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SOURCE OXIS International, Inc.