Acquisition

Oxford Biomedica PLC
07 June 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               7 JUNE 2004


                  OXFORD BIOMEDICA ACQUIRES CHIRON PATENTS AND
                            ISSUES SHARES TO CHIRON


Oxford, UK - 7 June 2004: Oxford BioMedica (LSE OXB), the leading gene therapy
company, announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Chiron
Corporation to acquire certain patent families from Chiron's gene therapy patent
portfolio. The agreement includes taking assignment of Chiron's interest in a
license agreement with an undisclosed university. Financial terms have not been
disclosed.

Chiron's patent portfolio contains some early gene therapy technology that
complements Oxford BioMedica's substantial gene therapy patent estate. The
technology acquired includes:
          
1.   The use of human cell lines for the production of gene therapy products
     
2.   Gene-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (GDEPT)
     
3.   The use of the envelope protein of the vesicular stomatis virus (VSV-g) for 
     increasing the ability of gene therapy vectors to transduce a broad range 
     of human cell types

Under a separate agreement also signed today, Chiron has made an equity
investment in Oxford BioMedica subscribing for a total of 316,026 ordinary
shares of 1p each at 17.23 pence per share.

Commenting on these agreements the Company's Senior Vice President for
Commercial Development, Peter Nolan, said: 'We are delighted to have concluded
this agreement with Chiron and welcome them as shareholders in the Company.
Securing this intellectual property will enhance our competitive position in
gene therapy and in the use of our technology in drug discovery.'


                                     -Ends-


For further information, please contact:
Oxford BioMedica plc:
----------------------
Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive             Tel: [phone]
City/Financial Enquiries:
-------------------------
Lisa Baderoon/ Mark Court: Buchanan Communications   Tel: [phone]
Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries:
---------------------------------
Sue Charles, Katja Stout: Northbank Communications   Tel: [phone]


Notes to editors

1. Oxford BioMedica

Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the
development of novel gene-based therapeutics with a focus on the areas of
oncology and neurotherapy. The Company was established in 1995 as a spin out
from Oxford University, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

In addition to its technical expertise in gene delivery, Oxford BioMedica has
in-house clinical, regulatory and manufacturing know-how. The development
pipeline includes two novel anti-cancer products in clinical trials; and two
neurotherapy products in advanced preclinical development for Parkinson's
disease and retinopathy. The Company is underpinned by an extensive preclinical
and research portfolio and about 70 patent families, which represents one of the
broadest patent estates in the field.

The Company has a staff of approx. 65 split between its main facilities in
Oxford and its wholly owned subsidiary, BioMedica Inc, in San Diego, California.
Oxford BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet, Merck & Co,
Amersham and Kiadis.


Further information is available at http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange