Collaboration with airPharma

RNS Number:0293K
Bespak PLC
21 March 2005


For immediate release                                             21 March 2005


                                 Bespak plc

     Bespak and airPharma Sign Collaboration Deal for New Dry Powder Device

Bespak plc (LSE: BPK), a leader in specialty medical devices, is pleased to
announce that an agreement with airPharma, a US-based specialty respiratory
pharmaceutical company, has been signed to develop and manufacture a new
inhalation device for the dry powder formulation of Zofac(TM) (Pumactant), a
treatment for asthma.  As a leading developer of innovative drug delivery
technologies, Bespak will create a clinical device based upon technology
airPharma licensed from UK-based Britannia Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

Doses of Pumactant reaching 100mg have been successfully delivered from a
laboratory based delivery system and a more portable device is now required.
airPharma will utilize Bespak's expertise in concept creation and rapid
prototyping to develop refined inhalation delivery devices for airPharma's Zofac
(TM) phase II clinical studies which are scheduled for later this year. Bespak 
has over 30 years experience in device development and will be providing design,
development, scientific, and manufacturing services to ensure the 'best design
fit' for airPharma's requirements.

airPharma's novel therapy is targeted to treat attacks triggered by allergens or
other inhaled materials which affect about half the 55 million asthma patients
worldwide. Zofac(TM) is a protein free synthetic surfactant made from naturally
occurring phospholipids. When inhaled, the Zofac(TM) powder is believed to 
create a "barrier" that may protect the lungs from inhaled allergens, dust and 
other environmental particulates.

Mark Throdahl, Chief Executive Officer of Bespak, commented: "Once again our
expertise in device development has brought us together with a company seeking
an innovative solution to a new medical therapy. This agreement allows Bespak
and airPharma to demonstrate what can be achieved by early partnership with a
leading device manufacturer."

Doug Dockhorn, airPharma's founder and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are
excited to be working with one of the leading experts in the area of innovative
drug delivery device development. We have the opportunity to develop a radical,
new, high-volume drug delivery system that will not only benefit asthma
sufferers, but will also open the door for delivery of vaccines, gene therapies,
and other large molecules."

For further information please call:

Bespak plc
Mark Throdahl - Chief Executive                          [phone]
Martin Hopcroft - Group Finance Director

Buchanan Communications                                     [phone]
Tim Thompson / Mark Court / Mary-Jane Johnson


Notes for Editors:

About Bespak plc

Bespak, a specialty medical devices company, is at the forefront of developing
new delivery systems for the pharmaceutical industry. The company has a product
range covering metered dose inhalers, dry powder devices, actuators and
compliance aids. The company also develops and manufactures drug delivery
devices for leading global pharmaceutical companies. The group, which has
facilities in King's Lynn and Milton Keynes in the UK and in Cary, North
Carolina, in the USA. is a public company quoted on the Official list of the
London Stock Exchange (LSE: BPK).  For more information, please visit
www.bespak.com.

About airPharma

airPharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercializing
products that address unmet needs in respiratory diseases. The company is
developing a portfolio of branded respiratory products. Dr. Robert Dockhorn and
Doug Dockhorn founded the company in 2002. Prior to airPharma, the Dockhorns
built their previous company, IMTCI, into the leader in conducting respiratory
clinical studies. airPharma is privately held and is located in Overland Park,
Kansas, USA. For more information - www.air-pharma.com.




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