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15 October 2024

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc
(the "Company")

Research agreement with the University of Nottingham

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc (LON: GPL) (the "Company"), an innovative biotechnology company co-developing therapeutics for mental health disorders, announces that its partner, Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (CSE: AWKN, OTCQB: AWKNF) ("Awakn"), has entered a research agreement with the University of Nottingham. The research will be conducted in vivo and will evaluate the potential of the Company and Awakn's  aminoindane  new chemical entity ("NCE") co-lead series to enhance social cognition and pro-social behaviors, a critical step in developing a new class of medicines for treating trauma-related disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD").

The research will be led by Dr. Madeleine King, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham, which is recognised globally for its cutting-edge neuroscience research. Dr. King brings over 20 years of experience in behavioral neuroscience, focusing on psychiatric disorder research. The research will employ the Social Transmission of Food Preferences ("STFP") test in rodent models and is expected to run over two months, with results due by the end of 2024.

This in vivo research represents a significant step in the Company's NCE programme, which is being developed under a collaboration agreement with Awakn. The programme is focused on developing next-generation therapeutics for mental health disorders, including PTSD, a condition affecting over 13 million adults in the U.S. and 20 million across the U.S., UK, and Europe.

Anthony Tennyson, CEO of Graft Polymer, commented: "This is a significant step forward in our joint programme with Awakn. The in vivo testing at the University of Nottingham will be pivotal in assessing the therapeutic potential of our novel aminoindane compounds, bringing us closer to addressing the unmet needs in trauma-related mental health disorders."

Dr Madeline King, from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham said: "I'm delighted that Awakn Life Sciences have chosen to collaborate with the University of Nottingham.  I'm excited to be involved in this research, which has real potential to improve patient health."

Enquiries:

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc
Anthony Tennyson, CEO and Executive Director. anthonytennyson@graftpolymer.co.uk

Allenby Capital (Broker) +44 (0) 20 3328 5656

Nick Naylor / Liz Kirchner (Corporate Finance) | Guy McDougall (Sales)

About Graft Polymer (UK) Plc

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc is an innovative biotechnology company focused on developing intellectual property relating to the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, and the co-development of therapeutics for mental health disorders.  Our mission is to improve outcomes for individuals suffering from these conditions, with an initial focus on trauma-related mental health disorders, such as PTSD, which affects approximately 13 million adults in the U.S. and 20 million in US, UK, and key EU  markets.

For more information, please visit www.graftpolymer.co.uk.