Regulatory Approval

Date:          17 May 2004

Lawrence plc
EMEA - Further Information on Aivlosin Approval

The  European  Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products  (EMEA)  has,  as
anticipated  in  Lawrence's announcement of earlier  today,  now  given  further
details  regarding  its  recommendation to grant a marketing  authorisation  for
Aivlosin.  Aivlosin  is a medication from ECO Animal Health Limited  ("ECO"),  a
subsidiary  of Lawrence plc.  The full text of the statement released  today  by
the EMEA on its website (www.emea.eu.int) is set out below:

                  "COMMITTEE FOR VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

                               SUMMARY OF OPINION*
                                    AIVLOSIN

                    Active substance: Acetylisovaleryltylosin

On 12 May 2004, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) adopted a
positive  opinion,**  recommending to grant a marketing  authorisation  for  the
veterinary  medicinal  product Aivlosin 42.5 mg/g premix for  medicated  feeding
stuff  for  pigs,  intended  for  treatment and  prevention  of  Swine  Enzootic
Pneumonia  caused  by  susceptible  strains of  Mycoplasma  hyopneumaniae.   The
Applicant for this veterinary medicinal product is ECO Animal Health.

The  active  substance  of  Aivlosin  is  acetylisovaleryltylosin,  a  macrolide
antibiotic that has antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and some  Gram-
negative  organisms  and  against mycoplasma.  It  acts  by  inhibiting  protein
synthesis in the bacteria cell.

The  benefits  of Aivlosin are its efficacy in the treatment and  prevention  of
Swine Enzootic Pneumonia via the oral route.  Although infection with Mycoplasma
hyopneumaniae is not eliminated, lung lesions and weight loss are  reduced.   No
side effects have been reported in pigs in the clinical trials.  However, due to
its  skin  sensitising potential in laboratory animals the SPC includes  a  user
warning  for  people  with  known  hypersensitivity  to  acetylisovaleryltylosin
tartrate.

The approved indication is "Treatment and prevention of Swine Enzootic Pneumonia
caused  by  susceptible  strains of Mycoplasma hyopneumonia  in  pigs.   At  the
recommended  dose, lung lesions and weight loss are reduced but  infection  with
Mycoplasma hyopneumonia is not eliminated".

Detailed conditions for the use of this product will be described in the Summary
of  Product Characteristics (SPC) which will be published in the European Public
Assessment  Report (EPAR) and will be available in all official  European  Union
languages  after  the marketing authorisation has been granted by  the  European
Commission.

The CVMP, on the basis of quality, safety and efficacy data submitted, considers
that  there  is a favourable benefit to risk balance for Aivlosin and  therefore
recommends by majority the granting of the marketing authorisation.

*  Summaries  of  opinion  are  published without prejudice  to  the  Commission
Decision  which  will  normally be issued within 90 days from  adoption  of  the
Opinion.

**  Applicants  may appeal any CVMP opinion, provided they notify  the  EMEA  in
writing of their intention to appeal within 15 days of receipt of the opinion.

                                                  ------------------------------
-

Commenting on the announcement by the EMEA, Peter Lawrence, Chairman of Lawrence
plc, said:

"This  excellent,  long awaited news confirms our confidence  in  Aivlosin.  The
marketing recommendation has taken some years and reflects the very thorough and
detailed  testing  process carried out by the registration authorities.  Further
recommendations  and  approvals will follow over  the  coming  months  and  will
complement our extensive range of important animal health medications.

"Following  the  sale  of  Interpet  in  April,  Lawrence  is  now   much   more
strategically focused on its animal health businesses. The global potential  for
Aivlosin  is  substantial and we are confident that it  will  be  a  significant
driver of sales and profit growth for many years to come."

It is expected that the marketing authorisation will be tabled for granting at a
meeting  of  the  European Commission towards the end of  June.  Following  that
meeting,  each of the 25 EU member countries is then required to issue  its  own
marketing  authorisation within three months. The approval process  is  in  line
with expectations as set out in Lawrence's statement of 1 April 2004.

Agreements  for  the  sales  and  distribution  of  Aivlosin  are  under   final
negotiation  with  multinational  animal health companies  operating  throughout
Europe. Lawrence is confident these agreements will be in place in good time for
a coordinated product launch in the second half of the current financial year.

Having  overcome  this  critical  and major hurdle  in  the  Aivlosin  marketing
authorisation  process,  ECO is continuing to register  Aivlosin  for  different
disease indications and animal species within Europe and other countries  around
the  world. This includes the USA, where the procedure through the Food and Drug
Administration is well under way.

ECO   owns  the  Aivlosin  patents  and  is  the  exclusive  supplier  of   this
exceptionally effective and thoroughly tested veterinary medicine.  We  estimate
that  the  global market for drugs that treat respiratory and digestive diseases
in  pigs  and  poultry exceeds $1.5 billion and is split fairly equally  between
Europe, North America and the rest of the world.

Contacts:

Peter Lawrence
Chairman, Lawrence plc
020 8336 2900

Anthony Spiro
Spiro Financial
020 8949 0428

Emma Kane
RedLeaf Communications Ltd
020 7955 1410

Philip Davies
Charles Stanley & Co. Limited
020 7953 2000

Notes to Editors:

õ    Lawrence  plc  is a leader in the development, manufacture and distribution
      of principally specialist chemical and pharmaceutical products for the animal
      health and farming markets worldwide. Our products for these growth markets
      incorporate natural ingredients to promote well being and sustainability. We
      achieve our financial goals through the careful and responsible application of
      science to generate value for our shareholders.

õ    Our  corporate  web  site www.lawrenceplc.com includes our  press  releases
      together with general information about the company and its subsidiaries. Each
      subsidiary also has a web site, which gives further information about that
      business and its products.