Re Joint Venture

RNS Number:6912U
Bespak PLC
17 April 2002


For Immediate Release:                             Wednesday, 17 April 2002


             Sheffield Pharmaceuticals Signs Agreement With Bespak
                For Development And Manufacture Of Tempo Inhaler

Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX:SHM) today announced an agreement with
Bespak (LSE: BPK), a world leader in the design and production of drug delivery
devices, for the development and manufacture of Sheffield's TempoTM Inhaler, a
new generation metered dose inhaler (MDI).  Under the agreement, Bespak will
produce Tempo Inhaler devices for clinical supply and commercial production, and
will also supply components for use in the MDI platform from its Cary, North
Carolina facility.

"Sheffield is pleased to partner with Bespak, a recognized, world-class supplier
of oral inhalation drug-delivery devices, for the production of our new Tempo
Inhaler, a new generation MDI with significantly enhanced efficiency and
performance characteristics compared to standard MDIs," said Thomas A. Armer,
Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Sheffield. "Bespak's long-standing reputation
and expertise in our field ensures the highest quality production of our
innovative new device."

The one-step, easy-to-use Tempo Inhaler is designed to reduce patient
coordination problems and enhance compliance by accommodating differences in
age, disease-state and inspiratory flow rates.  The synchronous trigger
automatically adjusts to allow optimal delivery of drug to the lungs despite
variations in breathing patterns.  The flow control chamber uses aerodynamic
principles to slow the propellant-driven "plume" coming out of the MDI, making
it easier for patients to inhale the medication into the deep lung.

"We are excited about our relationship with Sheffield, a specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on innovative pulmonary delivery technologies.
Our expertise in device development and manufacturing for inhalation therapies
will complement and assist in the delivery of Sheffield's new generation metered
dose inhaler," said Sylvia Rossi-Montero, senior director of Business
Development, North America of Bespak.

For further information please contact:


Bespak Plc
Mark Throdahl - Chief Executive                  Tel: [phone]
Robert Preece - Deputy Chief Executive & Group Finance Director

Buchanan Communications                          Tel: [phone]
Nicola How / Louise Bolton



Notes to Editors:

Bespak plc

Bespak plc is in the forefront of developing new delivery systems for the
pharmaceutical industry.  The Company has a product range covering metered dose
inhalers, dry powder inhalers, actuator and spacer systems, as well as
specialist components and assemblies for the US medical device industry.  In
2001, Bespak expanded into the area of nasal drug delivery - an area that,
although at an early stage of development, could bring considerable upside to
Bespak in the future.

Bespak has manufacturing facilities in King's Lynn and Milton Keynes in the UK
and at Cary, North Carolina in the USA.

Quoted on the Full List of the London Stock Exchange, Bespak is valued at
approximately £150M.


Sheffield Pharmaceuticals

Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc. provides innovative, cost-effective
pharmaceutical therapies by combining state-of-the-art pulmonary drug delivery
technologies with existing and emerging therapeutic agents. Sheffield is
developing a range of products to treat respiratory and systemic diseases in its
proprietary Premaire(R) Delivery System and TempoTM Inhaler.  Sheffield focuses
on improving clinical outcomes with patient-friendly alternatives to
inconvenient or sub-optimal methods of drug administration.  Investors can learn
more about Sheffield Pharmaceuticals on its web site at www.sheffieldpharm.com.


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