Disposal

Aortech International PLC
13 January 2003

                            AORTECH INTERNATIONAL PLC

                           Sale of Heart Valve Business


AorTech International plc ('the Company') announced on 6 January 2003 a change
in strategic direction. The Board has concluded that it will concentrate future
activity on the Company's biomaterials business and on its development programme
for the polymer heart valve. As a result, the Company announces today the sale
of its commercial heart valve business to the Koehler Chemie GmbH group of
Alsbach, Germany, a privately owned pharmaceutical group founded in 1959.



The brands involved comprise Ultracor Mechanical Prosthesis, Aspire Stentless
Prosthesis, Elan Aortic Stentless Prosthesis, Elan Root Stentless Prosthesis and
Mitral Repair System.



Koehler Chemie is paying £2.7 million in cash for the business and will take
over management responsibility with effect from 13 January 2003.



The sale concludes an extensive search for an industry partner to manage and
develop this business, maintaining continuity of supply to customers.



During the six month period ended 30 September 2002 the business, which was loss
making, had a turnover of £0.9 million.  The assets being sold have a book value
of £4.8 million comprising the inventory, fixed assets and purchased goodwill of
the commercial heart valve business.



Proceeds from the disposal will be used as working capital for the remaining
parts of the Company's business. Following the disposal, the Company's annual
rate of cash burn will be significantly reduced.



                                                               13th January 2003


ENQUIRIES:

AorTech International plc                          Tel: [phone]
Bill Strachan, Chief Executive
Ian Cameron, Finance Director

College Hill                                       Tel: [phone]
Nicholas Nelson
Clare Warren




                      This information is provided by RNS
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