Agreements Signed, etc

Oxford Biomedica PLC
18 May 2000


For further information, please contact:       
Oxford BioMedica plc       
Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive       Tel: [phone]
City/Financial Enquiries:
David Simonson/Melanie Toyne Sewell
Merlin Financial Communications                Tel: [phone]
Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries:
Sue Charles/Katja Stout, HCC De Facto Group    Tel:  [phone]


OXFORD BIOMEDICA: ACQUISITION OF THERAPEUTIC GENES
AND ISSUE OF SHARES

Oxford, UK - 18 May: Oxford BioMedica announced today that it has signed an
agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University and the
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute extending the field of BioMedica's exclusive
access to the use of the family of cytochrome P450 enzymes in cancer gene
therapy. As part of the agreement BioMedica will pay an upfront fee,
milestones and royalties on sales. 

The cytochrome P450 gene CYP2B6 is the therapeutic gene used in MetXia-P450TM,
Oxford BioMedica's first gene therapy product, which is currently undergoing
Phase I/II clinical trials in Oxford. This enzyme is naturally expressed in
the liver and activates the chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide.
MetXia-P450 TM allows activation of cyclophosphamide directly in the tumour
and thereby enhances its potency as an anti-tumour treatment. A second Phase
I/II clinical trial of MetXia-P450 TM in ovarian cancer patients has been
approved by the UK Medicines Control Authority and is planned to start
shortly.

Under a separate agreement also signed today, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Boston University and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have made an equity
investment in Oxford BioMedica, subscribing for a total of 500,000 ordinary
shares of 1p each at 55 pence per share.

Commenting on these agreements Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive of BioMedica
said: 

'We are delighted to be able to extend and strengthen our existing
relationship with these leading US academic institutions and are particularly
pleased to welcome them as shareholders in the Company. This is a recognition
and endorsement of the progress we have made in the clinical development of
MetXia-P450TM since signing the original agreement in October 1997.'


Notes to Editors

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

2. The Massachusetts General Hospital, established in 1811, is the original
and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.  The MGH conducts the
largest hospital-based research program in the United States, with an annual
research budget of almost $250 million and major research centres in AIDS, the
neuro-sciences, cardio-vascular research, cancer, cutaneous biology,
trans-plantation biology and photo-medicine.  In 1994, the MGH joined with
Brigham and Women's Hospital to form Partners HealthCare System, an integrated
health care delivery system comprising the two academic medical centres,
specialty and community hospitals, a network of physician groups and nonacute
and home health services.  Website: www.mgh.harvard.edu.

3. One of the world's premier research universities, Boston University is   
distinguished by its commitment to excellence in teaching as well as to direct
involvement in the economic, social, intellectual, and educational life of the
broader community and of society worldwide. It is the fourth-largest
independent institution of higher learning in the United States, with an
enrolment of nearly 30,000 students and more than 3,000 faculty in its 15
schools and colleges. Website: www.bu.edu

4. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is among the leading cancer research and care
centres in the United States and is the only centre in New England to be a
federally-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Centre for AIDS Research.

5. This release is also available on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk