Regulatory Approval

Proteome Sciences PLC
12 November 2003



                             PROTEOME SCIENCES plc

                                 PRESS RELEASE


   Proteome Sciences Awarded Grant of US Patent For Diagnosis of Three Major
                                    Cancers

Proteome Sciences plc ('Proteome Sciences'), is pleased to announce that it has
today been granted US Patent No. 6,645,465 entitled 'Annexin Proteins and
Autoantibodies as Serum Markers for Cancer'.

Annexins are a class of at least 12 different proteins with a putative role in
controlling cell signalling and metabolism. Elevation of certain annexins
correlates with various diseases. Work funded by Proteome Sciences led to the
discovery that anexins I and II are elevated in three major cancers, namely
lung, breast and oesophageal cancers. Significantly, it was possible to develop
a test that could detect antibodies to these proteins in the blood of patients
with tumours, but not in healthy individuals.

The granted patent includes claims to the use of annexins and antibodies to them
in the diagnosis of lung, breast and oesophageal cancers, which collectively
account for an estimated 400,000 new cases each year in the US, roughly 1
million worldwide. Proteome Sciences is actively pursuing partners to co-develop
new diagnostic and prognostic tests based on detection of annexin
autoantibodies, in line with its long-standing practice of partnering
activities.

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

'We are very pleased to see the grant of a key patent for an important class of
cancer biomarkers. This is the first of a series of patents to be granted from
our research in cancer and which underpins the value of our early programmes in
biomarker discovery. This allows us to secure strong commercial partnerships to
develop new diagnostic and prognostic assays for these important diseases where
diagnosis is often made too late for effective treatment and to accelerate the
development of therapeutic targets.


Using its ProteoSHOPTM tool box Proteome Sciences is focused to discover and
validate new biomarkers across a broad range of major diseases including
neurodegeneration, neuroscience, diabetes/obesity, cardiovascular disease and
cancer, which, together with its strong portfolio of existing intellectual
property, places us at the forefront of applied proteomics.'.


                                    - Ends -


For further information please contact:


Proteome Sciences plc  Tel : [phone]

Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive  E-Mail : [e-mail]

www.proteome.co.uk





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, nvCJD, 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.







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