Delivery of TABWRAP machines

RNS Number:7777O
BioProgress PLC
19 August 2003


Press Release                                                     19 August 2003

                                BioProgress plc

                     Delivery of XGEL(R) TABWRAP(R) machines


BioProgress plc, a provider of innovative delivery mechanisms for the
pharmaceutical oral dosage markets, announces the delivery to customers of the
first two machines, of its new innovative XGEL(R) TABWRAP(R) technology. The
first machine has been delivered to one of the major global pharmaceutical
companies in the USA with which the Company has had a long standing
relationship, and the second machine has been delivered to Peter Black
Healthcare in the UK.  Peter Black is one of Europe's leading contract
pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturers.

These first machines are small-scale pilot versions of the full size XGEL(R)
TABWRAP(R) systems which are currently being designed and built by BioProgress.
The pilot scale machines are fully representative of the TABWRAP(R) technology
and can generate the validating product performance and stability data, which is
required for new pharmaceutical products. This will enable the customers to
commence new product development immediately in the TABWRAP(R) technology and,
in the case of Peter Black, win new customers for this exciting and innovative
technology.

TABWRAP(R) is a customer led technology designed to replace the old methods of
slow batch based tablet coating with a new fast continuous process which wraps
the preformed tablets in BioProgress proprietary coloured cellulose based film.

Graham Hind, Chief Executive of BioProgress, said: "There has been relatively
little innovation in the tablet making process for a number of years. The market
opportunity for the TABWRAP(R) technology is enormous. For example, the most
commonly used class of medication world-wide is analgesics and there are around
70 million prescriptions and 30 billion over the counter tablets sold in this
category alone annually in the USA.

"Our TABWRAP(R) technology offers a number of major advantages. It provides a
fast track new product development opportunity.  It meets the industry desire to
replace animal derived materials like gelatin.  It can produce a two-colour
tablet not possible using traditional tablet spray coating techniques. It can
improve product shelf life, and by manipulating the film wrap formulation, it is
possible to release the active in the tablet into the body at a faster rate.
Most importantly these advantages are achieved at reduced production costs for
the customer."

Alan Clements, Managing Director of Peter Black Healthcare, said: "Peter Black
is delighted to be the first company in Europe to be able to offer our customers
new product development opportunities in the new TABWRAP(R) technology.  Tablets
manufacture is an important part of our business; we make more than thirty
million tablets every week. As a company we are committed to innovation and the
adoption of the latest technology to enhance and add value to our customer
service.

"We believe that BioProgress TABWRAP(R) will enable us to develop innovative
products for our customers. There was an encouraging level of initial interest
in the TABWRAP(R) concept and, now we have a pilot scale TABWRAP(R) machine at
Peter Black, we can actively offer our customers the benefits of this exciting
new technology."

XGEL(R) TABWRAP(R) is one of four new dosage forms BioProgress is developing
under the XGEL(R) family of products. These include: SWALLOW(R), a new
non-gelatin liquid filled capsule process; NROBE(R), a new powder delivery
dosage form; and SEPTUM(R), a new dosage form which enables the encapsulation of
two non-compatible active ingredients in the same shell, delivering each at a
different time or site in the body.


                                    - Ends -


For further information:
BioProgress plc

Graham Hind, Chief Executive                           Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]                                   www.bioprogress.com

Media enquiries:
Bankside

Henry Harrison-Topham / Heather Salmond                Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]                                           www.bankside.com


Notes to editors:

BioProgress listed on AIM in May 2003 and is engaged in the research,
development, and design of  patented encapsulation systems that use water
soluble and biodegradable films for the dietary supplement, pharmaceutical and
other sectors. The Company holds 15 patents with a further 38 pending and has
product development agreements with several global companies.  BioProgress aims
to provide a cost effective and animal-free encapsulation process for
pharmaceutical drugs in liquids, tablets and powders, thereby potential
addressing the needs of the entire market for oral dosage forms while providing
novel delivery mechanisms not possible with traditional processes.

The Company has also developed patented and licensed the world's first flushable
ostomy pouch that offers a newly enhanced quality of life not previously
possible for the end user. Market research shows the global ostomy market to be
worth $1 billion annually.

The Company's business model provides it with several significant revenue
streams including sales of encapsulating machines and film, plus licence and
fees for research development services.




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