Vancouver, British  Columbia  - December  11,  2002  Forbes Medi-Tech  Inc. (TSE:FMI  and  NASDAQ:FMTI)  today  announced  the  study  results  of  its cholesterol-lowering functional food, chocolate, have been published in the British Journal of  Nutrition.  The recently published results  state  that participants  eating   the  phytosterol (Reducol(tm))-enriched  chocolate reduced their LDL cholesterol by 10.3%.

For 4 weeks, 70 participants with mild  hypercholesterolemia consumed three 10g servings of the  phytosterol (Reducol(tm))-enriched chocolate  per  day that  provided  1.8  g  of  unesterified  phytosterols. The  control  group consumed  placebo portions  of  chocolate  that  contained  no  phytosterol supplement.  All subjects consumed  a low-fat,  low-cholesterol  diet  both before and during the  study period. At the end  of the study, blood levels of both total  and LDL-cholesterol  levels were statistically significantly reduced by  6.4% (- 0.44 millimoles  per  litre (mmol/l)) and 10.3% (- 0.49 mmol/l), respectively when compared to the placebo group.

These levels  of reduction in blood cholesterol  are clinically significant in the fight against cholesterol-induced risk  of coronary artery  disease. Thus, consumption  of chocolates fortified with phytosterols may provide an additional option for individuals needing to lower their  blood cholesterol levels.  According to  the  National  Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), there are  approximately 100 million individuals in  North America who fall into   this   category.       Furthermore,   the   development   of   these cholesterol-lowering products, such as  chocolates, is in accord  with  the recommendations  from   the  NCEP  that  such   individuals  consume  foods containing plant phytosterols.

"Functional food  has not always  been palatable",  says Study Director, Dr Haydn Pritchard of the University  of British Columbia.  "Focusing  on  the consumer's appetite for lowering  cholesterol,  we felt the Belgium truffle chocolates  containing  Reducol(tm) provided  an appealing vehicle to lower their cholesterol -- and taste good", said Pritchard.

Forbes'  cholesterol-lowering ingredients  can also be combined with a wide variety of food matrices including dairy products, baked goods, and cooking oil. The chocolate study results, originally submitted in 2001, adds to the strength  of  evidence  of  the  health benefits  of  Reducol(tm)  using  a different food matrix while the  recent  publication provides an ideal tool for  developing  potential  partnership  or licensing  agreements with food manufacturers.  The potential success of Reducol(tm)--enriched  products is fuelled by the ability of such companies to advertise the clinical data and health benefits  of  phytosterol-enriched foods.  The Company  is currently awaiting  the response from regulatory  authorities in the  U.S.,  European Union and Canada regarding a health claim supporting the health benefits of phytosterols related to cardiovascular health.
 
About Forbes Medi-Tech Inc.
Forbes  Medi-Tech Inc. is  a  biopharmaceutical  company  dedicated to  the research, development  and  commercialization of innovative pharmaceuticals and   nutraceutical  products   for  the  prevention   and   treatment   of cardiovascular and related diseases. By extracting plant sterols  from wood pulping by-products, Forbes has developed cholesterol-lowering agents to be used as pharmaceutical therapeutics,  dietary  supplements and functional food ingredients.

For more information, please contact:
Darren Seed, Manager, Investor Relations
Telephone: (604) 681-8976
E-mail: mailto:dseed@forbesmedi.com 

NASDAQ and the Toronto Stock Exchange  have not reviewed and do not  accept responsibility for the adequacy or  accuracy of  the content  of  this News Release. This press release  contains forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in the Company's business, including the potential success of Reducol(tm)-enriched products, and other information  in  future periods. These forward-looking statements can be  identified by  the use of forward-looking terminology, such as, "potential", "may", "for developing", "to"  and similar expressions  or variations thereon,  or  statements  that events, conditions or results "will," "may," "could" or  "should"  occur or be achieved.   Forward-looking statements are  statements  about the future and are  inherently  uncertain,  and actual achievements of the Company and other results and occurrences may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, uncertainty as to whether any partnership or licensing agreements with potential  manufacturers  will  be concluded; uncertainty as to  whether,  or  when, regulatory authorities in the U.S.,  European Union and Canada will permit a health  claim supporting the  health  benefits of phytosterols related to cardiovascular health, and if so, whether that health claim will be of benefit to the  Company or  its potential partners,  licensees,  and  other  customers; uncertainty  as  to market  acceptance  of   the  Company's  products;  and  other  risks   and uncertainties identified in this press release and other regulatory filings .  The  Company's forward-looking  statements  are  based  on the  beliefs, expectations  and opinions  of management on the date  the  statements  are made,   and  the   Company  does   not  assume  any  obligation  to  update forward-looking  statements  if  circumstances  or   management's  beliefs, expectations or opinions should change.   For the reasons set forth  above, investors should not  place undue reliance on  forward-looking  statements. See also the  Company's reports filed with the Toronto Stock  Exchange, the Ontario and  B.C.  Securities  Commissions,  and the  U.S.  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  from time  to  time  for  other cautionary statements identifying  important  factors   with  respect  to  such   forward-looking statements.  The Company does not  assume  any  obligation  to  update  any forward-looking statement contained herein.