Re Agreement

Proteome Sciences PLC
23 March 2004

23 March 2004

                             Proteome Sciences plc

                  DIAGNOSTIC BIOMARKERS FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE


Proteome Sciences plc ('Proteome Sciences') is pleased to announce that it has
today concluded a licence to certain key biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease
discovered at the University Cantonal Hospital in Geneva, Switzerland (HCUG)
from Bayer Pharmaceuticals. This strengthens Proteome Sciences' position in
Alzheimer's and expands the panel of biomarkers included in a protein test in
development for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is the single biggest cause of dementia, which itself is the
fourth highest cause of death in the UK. It is estimated that there are over
500,000 people suffering from Alzheimer's in the UK, with numbers increasing by
over 10% per annum and, according to the American Alzheimer's Association,
approximately 4.5 million people in the US have Alzheimer's. 1 in 10 individuals
over the age of 65 and half of all Americans over 85 are thought to have the
disease. Globally it is estimated that there are 18 million people with
dementia, and by 2025 this number is expected to nearly double.

Currently, the diagnosis of Alzheimer's depends on subjective clinical
assessment of cognitive impairment and there are no objective diagnostic assays
available.

Through this agreement, Proteome Sciences has expanded its existing position in
Alzheimer's by exclusively licensing a set of proteins identified in the
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Alzheimer's patients. Discovered in a research
project at HCUG with Bayer Pharmaceuticals, the potential of these markers was
presented to the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology in San
Diego, USA in 2003. Based on differential protein expression, nine out of ten
Alzheimer's patients were correctly identified as having the disease and ten
control patients were ruled out (Sensitivity and Specificity of 90% and 100%
respectively). This prompted considerable international media attention and
coverage after the meeting. Under the terms of the licence, Proteome Sciences
will further validate the markers in both CSF and other body fluids including
blood that are more accessible and practical for clinical use. Proteome Sciences
will actively seek commercialisation partners for its expanded panel of
Alzheimer's biomarkers.

This is entirely complementary to Proteome Sciences existing research in
Alzheimer's and follows shortly after the award of a DTI-Link grant for a £1.3
million research programme to identify new biomarkers to improve the early
detection of the disease in blood and for the discovery of new targets for
therapy, which is being undertaken jointly with Proteome Sciences academic
partners.

Commenting on the announcement, Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive of Proteome
Sciences said :

'In addition to the biomarkers from our own Alzheimer's programmes, we are very
pleased to have secured access to further biomarkers from Bayer to address a
disease whose prominence is rapidly rising as a result of the significant
increase in life expectancy across the global population. The markers discovered
at HCUG neatly complement the biomarkers and research already undertaken by
Proteome Sciences and significantly enhance the value of our neurodegenerative
portfolio.

'By combining our ProteoSHOPTM tool box and strong links with clinicians who are
currently treating patients with Alzheimer's, Proteome Sciences is now uniquely
positioned to select a suitable panel of biomarkers and to expedite the
development of the first clinically relevant test for the early detection of
Alzheimer's Disease'.



                                     - ENDS-


For further information please contact:

Proteome Sciences plc                Tel : [phone]
Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive  E-Mail : [e-mail]
                                     www.proteomics.com


Public Relations for Proteome Sciences

Ikon Associates
Adrian Shaw                          Tel :      [phone]
                                     Mobile :   + 44(0) 797 9900733
                                     E-Mail :   [e-mail]
                                                            


                                                
Notes to Editors

Proteome Sciences plc applies high sensitivity proteomics to identify and
characterise differential protein expression in diseases for diagnostic,
prognostic and therapeutic applications. It has to date developed sensitive
blood assays for stroke, vCJD, BSE and solid organ transplantation.

The main focus of its research currently addresses neurological,
neurodegenerative, diabetes/obesity, oncology and cardiovascular conditions.
Commercialisation of these programmes will be effected through strategic
partnerships.

Proteome Sciences is also the largest shareholder in Intronn Inc., the US
Company that has developed SMaRTTM, a technology able to modify gene expression
at the mRNA level.


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