Research Agreement

Oxford Biomedica PLC
06 January 2003

For Immediate release
6 January 2003


 OXFORD BIOMEDICA PLC - RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH INTERVET PHARMA

Oxford, United Kingdom- 6 January 2003. Oxford BioMedica plc ('BioMedica') and
Intervet Pharma R&D SA ('Intervet') announced today that they had signed a
research agreement for the development of TroVax(R)-VET. Under the terms of this
agreement BioMedica and Intervet aim to complete a license for the
commercialisation of TroVax(R)-VET. This will include an option to acquire a
number of other veterinary cancer products arising from BioMedica's antigen
discovery programme. The agreement replaces a previous agreement between Oxford
BioMedica and Virbac S.A.

TroVax(R)-VET is a veterinary version of Oxford BioMedica's lead human cancer
product TroVax(R). Both products are designed to stimulate a cancer patient's
immune system to destroy tumour cells anywhere in the body. The products are
composed of an engineered vector containing a gene encoding a tumour-specific
antigen. When TroVax(R) is injected it stimulates a potent immune response which
is targeted against any cell with the antigen on its surface. This results in a
response that is directed only to the patient's tumour cells.

The human product TroVax(R)  has recently completed successful Phase I/II trials
in colorectal cancer patients. In these trials TroVax(R) was shown to be safe
and extremely efficient at inducing appropriate immune responses. TroVax(R) is
expected to complete a Phase II study in colorectal cancer, in combination with
chemotherapy, during 2003 and be ready for Phase III studies by the end of the
year. In addition the indications for TroVax(R) will be broadened in a series of
additional Phase II trials during 2003.

Commenting on the new relationship, Oxford BioMedica's Chief Executive,
Professor Alan Kingsman said:  'We are delighted to be working with Intervet,
one of the world's top veterinary companies. The commitment to rapid product
development is particularly pleasing'.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Oxford BioMedica plc
Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive                Tel: [phone]

City/Financial Enquiries:
Mike Wort, James Chandler: Beattie Financial            Tel: [phone]

Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries:
Sue Charles, Katja Stout: Northbank Communications      Tel: [phone]


Notes to Editors

Oxford BioMedica plc

Established in 1995 as a spin out from Oxford University, Oxford BioMedica plc
specialises in the development of novel gene-based therapeutics using its
proprietary gene regulation and delivery technologies to address major unmet
clinical needs. The Company has a broad product pipeline targeted at effective
treatments for cancer, neuro-degenerative disorders, retinopathy and HIV. This
is underpinned by over 70 patent families, about quarter of which are issued.
Oxford BioMedica's products use genes as the mediators of a therapeutic effect
and/or immune response. The Company's gene therapy products deliver therapeutic
molecules in vivo whilst its gene-based immunotherapy products deliver genes
that recruit the patient's immune system to mediate a therapeutic effect. The
genes are delivered by the Company's highly engineered viruses or cells.

Oxford BioMedica plc was floated on the Alternative Investment Market of the
London Stock Exchange in December 1996, and was promoted to the United Kingdom
Listing Authority Official List in April 2001 following a successful £35.5
million fund-raising.

Oxford BioMedica is headquartered in Oxford, UK and has a wholly-owned
subsidiary in San Diego, USA.

Currently Oxford BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, IDM,
Amersham and ARIUS Research. BioMedica has two products in clinical development:
TroVax(R) for late-stage colorectal cancer is entering Phase II trials, and
MetXia(R) for late-stage breast cancer is completing Phase I/II studies.

Further information is available on the World Wide Web at 
http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk

Intervet Pharma SA

Intervet Pharma R&D SA is a company of Intervet International bv, focussing on 
R&D for veterinary pharmaceuticals.

Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, headquartered in Boxmeer, The
Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1.096 million in 2001, is focused on the research
and development, manufacturing and marketing of veterinary products. Products
include vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases, anti-infectives,
anti-parasitics and products for fertility management. All of these products are
intended for use in a variety of animal species, including poultry, pigs,
cattle, sheep, goats, horses, fish and companion animals. Intervet operates
globally with its own marketing organizations. The company currently employs
around 5,000 people.

Internet: www.intervet.com

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with
healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2001 totaled
EUR 14 billion. The Company currently employs over 67,000 people in more than 80
countries. Financial results for the full year 2002 will be published on
February 11, 2003.

Internet: www.akzonobel.com
.


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