Exclusive Partner

Ascot PLC
7 November 2000


Contact        Howard Dyer, Executive Chairman
               Martin Rogers, Finance Director
               Ascot Plc                                       020 7815 0805

               David Bick
               Holborn Public Relations                        020 7929 5599
                                                  [e-mail]



                                 ASCOT PLC

   ASCOT PLC APPOINTED AS EXCLUSIVE MANUFACTURING PARTNER FOR TRAVATAN(tm)

Marking  the  successful  culmination of a 5-year collaborative relationship
with Alcon Laboratories,  Ascot Fine Chemicals (AFC), Ascot's fine chemicals
division, has been appointed  as  the  exclusive  manufacturing  partner for
Travatan(tm), Alcon's new glaucoma and ocular hypertension drug.

Travatan(tm) has  proved  extremely  effective in trials  and has been given
fast  track  approval  status by  the FDA.   Glaucoma  is  a  major cause of
blindness in the elderly and this drug should play an important  role in the
treatment of patients afflicted by this disease.    AFC will be investing in
new facilities to meet anticipated demand.

Under  the   long-term   agreement,   AFC   will   manufacture  the   active
pharmaceutical  ingredient (API) to  full  cGMP  and FDA compliance, using a
proprietary synthetic route developed in-house by AFC.

AFC  is manufacturing  initial  quantities of the  API for an anticipated US
launch in 2001 and will shortly commence production for ongoing supply.

Howard Dyer, Chairman of Ascot Plc commented,

'We  are  delighted  to  formalise  a  long-term  supply  and  manufacturing
agreement with Alcon for what is a very exciting product.   The deal clearly
illustrates AFC's ability to work with our customers across  the pipeline to
develop novel processes and manufacture complex API's on a commercial scale.'


Dr  Gerald  D.  Cagle,  Alcon's  Senior  Vice  President  of  Research  and
Development added,

'Travatan(tm)  has  shown  great  utility  for  the  treatment  of  patients
suffering with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.   Alcon's successful record
in product  commercialisation, combined  with  its  leadership  position  in
ophthalmic related products, underpins our confidence in its success.

'We are pleased that AFC will be our partner for Alcon's new chemical entity.
Over the last 5 years,  ChiroTech and now AFC have consistently demonstrated
the expertise and  ability to  progress a complex  project  from research to
commercialisation.'