CRO Appointment

Syntopix Group plc 08 May 2007 For Immediate Release 8 May 2007 SYNTOPIX GROUP PLC ('Syntopix' or 'the Group') AGREEMENT TO COMMENCE COSMETIC TRIALS Syntopix Group plc (AIM: SYN), the drug discovery and development group focused on dermatological diseases, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with the Germany-based contract research organisation Bioskin, which will conduct trials on behalf of the Company with the objective of identifying potential cosmetic treatments for acne. Syntopix sees a clear strategic benefit in pursuing both medical and cosmetic applications for its library of products for the potential treatment of acne. The cosmetic sector offers Syntopix the opportunity for early revenues as the regulatory and product approval process is shorter than for medicines. The global market size for these types of cosmetic products is estimated to be in excess of $10 billion. Bioskin will conduct the trials in more than 130 acne sufferers using Syntopix' library compounds SYN 0126 and a combination of SYN 0126 with SYN 0091. The trials, which will take place at a series of centres in Germany, will commence in the early summer and results are anticipated later in the year. The trial compounds, all of which are suitable for use as cosmetics, are in line with the Company's strategy of seeking to reduce risk by concentrating on the change of use and novel combinations of known compounds with well documented pharmacology and toxicity profiles. Steve Jones, Syntopix' CEO, commented: 'We are very pleased to have appointed Bioskin, a contract research organisation focussed on dermatology, to carry out trials on compounds that we believe have real potential as cosmetic treatments for acne. Strategically we believe the cosmetic market is attractive as it gives the Company the opportunity to receive early product revenues.' ENDS For further information please contact: Syntopix Group plc 0845 125 9204 Stephen Jones, Chief Executive Officer Rod Adams, Chairman KBC Peel Hunt Ltd 020 7418 8900 Megan MacIntyre Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000 Mark Court/Mary-Jane Johnson/Catherine Breen Notes to editors About Syntopix Group plc Syntopix, a group focused on the discovery and development of drugs for the topical treatment of dermatological diseases. The company was founded in 2003 as a spin-out from the University of Leeds by Dr Jon Cove and Dr Anne Eady, two of the leading experts in skin microbiology, with initial funding from The Wellcome Trust. Syntopix' strategy is to seek to reduce the risks and costs of drug discovery and development by discovering novel uses for known compounds. The company concentrates on compounds and combinations of compounds that have a history of safe use in man; and that have well characterised properties, for example antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. The Group currently has 10 pending UK patent applications. Syntopix is currently concentrating on acne and Staphylococcus aureus infections and has identified a pipeline of lead drug candidates that it intends to take through pre-clinical and, as appropriate, clinical trials. The Group intends to out-license products to commercial partners on obtaining proof of principle and to seek co-development partnerships. The Group is based at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation in Bradford, giving access to the expertise in skin biology, formulation and toxicology at the universities of Bradford and Leeds. Syntopix' shareholders include Techtran Group Limited (a subsidiary of IP Group plc), The Wellcome Trust Limited, University of Leeds Limited, White Rose Technology Limited and Ridings Early Growth Investment Company Limited. Syntopix joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in March 2006. For further information please visit www.syntopix.com. About Bioskin Bioskin GmbH is a full-service Contract Research Organization specialized in dermatology, offering clinical trials to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and medical device industries. Core expertise includes early stage Proof-of-Concept studies and advanced bioengineering methods. Bioskin has clinical units in Hamburg and Berlin, Germany. Multi-centre trials are managed by project teams based in Hamburg. Services include consulting, protocol development, project management, monitoring, data management, statistics and medical writing. Bioskin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inc., the leading contract developer of topical products in the United States. For further information please visit www.bioskin.de. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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