Statement re: Jayne Allan

Phytopharm PLC
5 April 2002

5 April 2002



                                 Phytopharm plc
                             Retirement of Director

Phytopharm plc (PYM: London Stock Exchange) ('Phytopharm') announces that Ms
Jayne Allan stands down today from the Board of Directors (the 'Board') as
Director of Resource and Planning to spend more time with her young family.  Ms
Allan has worked for the business for over 10 years and was appointed to the
Board in October 1999.

Dr Richard Dixey, Chief Executive Officer, commented: 'Jayne has made a
substantial contribution to the development of Phytopharm.  We all thank her for
her efforts on behalf of the company and wish her well in the future.'

Enquiries:
Phytopharm plc
Dr Richard Dixey, Chief Executive                   Tel:          [phone]
                                                    Mobile:       [phone]

Financial Dynamics                                  Tel:           [phone]
David Yates


NOTES TO EDITORS

Phytopharm plc

Phytopharm is the leading company in the development of Botanical
pharmaceuticals. Botanicals enable the rapid clinical evaluation of plant
medicines in chronic and poorly understood diseases. Where novel modes of action
are discovered, such research can form the basis for drug discovery platforms,
which enable the development of new medicines and the isolation of single
chemical entities of clinical importance. Phytopharm has four drug discovery
platforms in full development, for obesity and metabolic syndrome, neural and
muscular degeneration, inflammation and dermatitis.

Phytopharm is developing nine products based on its four drug discovery
platforms alongside a number of other projects in early evaluation phase.

More information concerning Phytopharm's activities can be found on its Web site
at http://www.phytopharm.co.uk

                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange