Holding in Company

Fulcrum Pharma PLC
16 January 2001

            Fulcrum Pharma plc ('Fulcrum Pharma' or 'the Company')


                              Holding in Company


The Company has today been informed that World Life Sciences plc, the life
science investment company, has acquired 5,360,000 ordinary shares in Fulcrum
Pharma, representing approximately 9.06 % of the issued share capital. The
acquisitions were undertaken as follows:

11 January 2001     placing of 5,000,000 ordinary shares at 10 pence each

12 January 2001     market purchase of 180,000 ordinary shares at 13.45 pence
                    each

15 January 2001     market purchase of 180,000 ordinary shares at 14.5 pence
                    each


END