Appointment

Intl. Biotechnology Trust PLC
11 January 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11 JANUARY 2001

                    INTERNATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC

                           APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR

Mr Andrew Barker has been appointed as a Director of the Company with effect
from the close of business on 10 January 2001 and has also become the Chairman
of the Board. The Board will announce the appointment of a further three
directors shortly.


Andrew Barker, aged 55, has been involved in investment management for more
than 30 years, having joined Foreign & Colonial Management Ltd in 1970. He is
Chairman of The Bankers Trust PLC. He was responsible for Foreign & Colonial's
North American investments from 1985 until he retired from Foreign & Colonial
in March 2000.  He was a director of Foreign & Colonial Ventures Ltd from 1980
to 1998, which is a specialist provider of private equity finance to small and
medium sized companies.  His former directorships include Foreign & Colonial
Investment Trust PLC and Foreign & Colonial Enterprise Trust PLC.  He is past
Chairman of the Association of Investment Trust Companies.


END