Board Change

Phytopharm PLC
08 July 2003

                                                                     8 July 2003



                                   Phytopharm plc

                         Appointment of Finance Director

Phytopharm plc (PYM: London Stock Exchange) ('Phytopharm'), the Botanical
pharmaceutical company, announces today that Dr Wang Chong has been appointed
Chief Financial Officer with immediate effect.  Dr Chong, who was appointed to
Phytopharm as Commercial Director in April 2003, replaces Dr Simon Loach who is
leaving the company to pursue other interests.

Dr Chong is a physician with over 19 years of experience in the healthcare
industry.  His previous positions include CEO of Osmetech plc and leader of UK
Healthcare Initiatives at management consultants, Arthur D. Little Inc from 1996
to 1999, where he was involved in developing corporate and global commercial
strategy at Glaxo Wellcome plc and SmithKline Beecham plc. He holds a medical
degree from King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, an MBA from
London Business School, and is an Affiliate of the Securities Institute.

Dr Richard Dixey, Chief Executive of Phytopharm said: 'Since joining the
company, Phytopharm has benefited from Wang's considerable commercial and
financial expertise.  We welcome him to the Board and thank Simon for his
substantial contribution to the company.'

Phytopharm plc
Dr Richard Dixey                                 Tel:         [phone]
                                                 Mobile:      [phone]

Financial Dynamics
Ben Atwell                                       Tel:         [phone]


Notes to Editors

Phytopharm plc

Phytopharm is the leading company in the development of Botanical
pharmaceuticals.  These plant-based medicines, manufactured to pharmaceutical
standards, can be clinically evaluated 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 metabolic
disease, neurodegeneration, inflammation and dermatology.

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


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