Agreement with AHP Signed

Oxford Biomedica PLC
22 January 2001


2001/OB/03
22 January 2001

For further information, please contact:       
Oxford BioMedica plc       
Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive       Tel: [phone]
City/Financial Enquiries:
David Simonson/Melanie Toyne Sewell
Merlin Financial Communications                Tel: [phone]
Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries:
Chris Gardner, HCC.De Facto Group              Tel:  [phone]



                OXFORD BIOMEDICA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH 
                   AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS FOR NOVEL 
                     ANTI-CANCER ANTIBODY THERAPY


Oxford, UK: 22 January 2001 - Oxford BioMedica announced that it has completed
an agreement with American Home Products Corporation (NYSE: AHP) for the
development and commercialisation of a novel anti-cancer therapy using an
Oxford BioMedica proprietary antibody. 

Under the agreement, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, (AHP's pharmaceutical
division) has been given exclusive development and worldwide marketing rights
for the antibody for all human cancer indications. In addition, Wyeth-Ayerst
will assume full responsibility and the costs of development, clinical
research, marketing and manufacture of the products that result from the
research effort.

The potential value of the deal for Oxford BioMedica is $24 million, which
comprises upfront payments and license option fees and, subject to the
achievement of certain project objectives, milestone payments. Additionally,
BioMedica will receive royalties on sales of products by Wyeth-Ayerst.

Wyeth-Ayerst may develop the Oxford BioMedica antibody as a 'naked' antibody -
using the antibody alone - and/or as an antibody-drug conjugate, i.e.
chemically coupled to Wyeth-Ayerst's proprietary cytotoxic molecule,
calicheamicin. Calicheamicin is the active component of Mylotarg(TM), a
therapeutic conjugate for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia that was
launched last year by Wyeth-Ayerst in the United States.

Oxford BioMedica's antibody is directed against a novel proprietary
tumour-associated antigen that is expressed on a wide range of solid tumours.
Products developed under this agreement are therefore expected to be broadly
applicable in the treatment of many kinds of cancer. 

Commenting on the announcement, Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive of
Oxford BioMedica, said:
' Wyeth-Ayerst is a world leader in antibody therapies for the treatment of
cancer, and is therefore an ideal partner to develop antibody products
directed against our proprietary antigen. This agreement will provide Oxford
BioMedica with a valuable revenue stream from AHP, while at the same time
allowing us to focus our resources on our own development programmes and
products directed against this novel antigen.'

Dr Patrick Gage, President of Wyeth-Ayerst Research commented:
'Wyeth-Ayerst is committed to the global development of anti-cancer therapies
such as these innovative antibody products. We are particularly excited to be
developing this antibody from Oxford BioMedica as it has a wide application to
many tumour types. Our lead product in this area, Mylotarg(TM), was launched
last year and is already producing strong sales growth.'

Notes to Editors

1. Oxford BioMedica
Established in 1995, the Company specialises in the development and
application of gene-based therapeutics and immunotherapeutics for the
treatment of disease in the areas of Oncology, Neurobiology and Viral
Infection, and in Gene Discovery. Oxford BioMedica plc was floated on the
Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 1996. 

Currently Oxford BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Aventis,
AstraZeneca, IDM, Modex Therapeutics, Nycomed Amersham, Valentis and Virbac.
BioMedica has two products in Phase I/II clinical trials. MetXia(R) is in
clinical trials for late-stage breast cancer (BC1) and ovarian cancer (OC1),
and TroVax(TM) is in clinical trials for late-stage colorectal cancer.

2. Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories is a division of American Home Products Corporation,
a major research-oriented pharmaceutical company with leading products in the
areas of women's health care, cardiovascular therapies, central nervous system
drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, infectious disease, haemophilia, oncology,
vaccines, and generic pharmaceuticals. American Home Products Corporation is
one of the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical and health care
products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development,
manufacturing and marketing of prescription drugs and over-the-counter
medications. It is also a leader in vaccines, biotechnology, and animal health
care. 

3. Forward-looking statement
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including,
without limitation, risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of
pharmaceutical research, product development and commercialisation, the impact
of competitive products, and patent, and other risks and uncertainties,
including those detailed in company periodic reports, including quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q and an annual report on Form 10K, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from the
forward-looking statements.
 
4. World Wide Web
This release is also available on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk and http://www.wyeth.com