Oxford Biomedica PLC - Agreement Signed

RNS No 949c
OXFORD BIOMEDICA PLC
26th January 1998

For further information contact:

Oxford BioMedica plc
Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive Officer          Tel:  [phone]

Trade/Scientific Press Enquiries                                              
HCC De Facto Consultants, Michaela Mahon                  Tel:  [phone]

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HCC De Facto Financial, Nicola How                        Tel:  [phone]

                               OXFORD BIOMEDICA                               
                                                                              
                ANNOUNCES INTERACTION WITH RHONE-POULENC RORER                

           Agreement is signed with leading pharmaceutical company            


Oxford UK, 26th January 1998.  Oxford BioMedica plc announced today that it
has signed an agreement with Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Rhone-Poulenc S.A. (NYSE.RP), to undertake a collaborative research
feasibility study.  The research will investigate the use of Oxford
BioMedica's novel lentiviral vector systems in Rhone-Poulenc Rorer's
functional genomics programme.  Rhone-Poulenc Rorer will exploit the ability
of this new generation of vectors to transfer genes to certain non-dividing
tissues.

Professor Alan Kingsman, Oxford BioMedica's Chief Executive, commented:

"We are delighted that Rhone-Poulenc Rorer has chosen to evaluate our new
vectors for its genomics programme.  We believe this is a powerful endorsement
of Oxford BioMedica's technical strength and emphasises the importance of our
new gene delivery systems."

Dr Neill MacKenzie, Business Development Director, added:

"This deal adds weight to our belief that the lentiviral vector technology has
enormous commercial potential.  Rhone-Poulenc Rorer is the first company to
gain access to these vectors from Oxford BioMedica.  We are in discussion with
several other companies in relation to this technology."

Notes to Editors:

1. Oxford BioMedica, established in 1995, specialises in the development and
application of gene-based therapeutics using advanced retroviral gene delivery
technologies for the treatment of disease in the areas of:  oncology, viral
infection, neurobiology and genetic deficiency.  Oxford BioMedica plc was
floated on the UK Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange
in December 1996.

2. Rhone-Poulenc Rorer is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to
improving human health.

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