News Release

Patent `A Method of Extracting Tetrodotoxin` issued by USPTO

Date: May 23 , 2003

TSX Venture Exchange Trading Symbol: WXI
http://www.wextech.ca
E-mail: wex@wextech.ca

International Wex Technologies Inc. (the "Company") is pleased to announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has officially issued to the Company United States Patent No. 6,552,191 under the title of "A Method of Extracting Tetrodotoxin".

This patent covers the manufacturing technologies for extracting tetrodotoxin (TTX) from biological tissues. Along with another US patent under the title of "System for Extracting Tetrodotoxin" issued to the Company earlier, it enables the production of TTX with high yield and at a commercially viable scale. Aimed at serving millions of patients throughout the world, the manufacturing technologies for TTX, as the platform substance of the Company's drug products, have been made ready and protected. The Company will continue to build its intellectual properties, including patents and registered trademarks, and obtain protection world wide.

In the area of neuro-bioscience, the Company is focusing on the fields of pain management, drug addiction treatment and anaesthesia. The Company is developing products that contain a sodium channel blocking compound and derivatives extracted from natural organic substances using its proprietary manufacturing technology.

For additional information on our products, view the Company website at http://www.wextech.ca or call Gordon Stanley at 604-683-8880 or 1-800-722-7549.

Per: Donna Shum, Corporate Secretary

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