Preclinical update

Oxford Biomedica PLC
13 November 2003


13 November 2003


OXFORD BIOMEDICA REPORTS PROMISING PRECLINICAL RESULTS WITH MONUDINTM IN THE
                         TREATMENT OF MOTOR NEURON DISEASE


Oxford, UK: 13 November 2003 - Oxford BioMedica announced today that it is
presenting the first preclinical data from its motor neuron disease programme at
two consecutive conferences: the 11th Congress of the European Society on Human
Gene Transfer and Therapy held in Edinburgh, UK, on 13-17 November; and the 14th
International Symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Motor Neuron
Disease held in Milan, Italy, on 17-19 November 2003.  Drs. Nick Mazarakis and
Mimoun Azzouz, from the Company's neurobiology group, will present data showing
that the MoNuDinTM programme has achieved a major technical milestone.  In an
industry standard animal model of motor neuron disease, treatment with MoNuDin
resulted in significant motor (movement) improvement, a substantial delay in the
onset of disease and increased survival time.

MoNuDin comprises a neuroprotective gene delivered by the Company's proprietary
LentiVector system.  The product is designed to be injected into muscle, but
mediates its therapeutic effect within the nerve cells of the spine.  There is
currently no known cure for motor neuron disease, a condition that affects
approximately 100,000 people in Europe and the US.  Oxford BioMedica's novel
programme is supported by the largest US charitable organisation for this
condition, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association. The ground
breaking technology employed in MoNuDin is also used in the Company's spinal
muscular atrophy (SMA) programme. The Company estimates that, if successful,
these two products could reach markets in excess of $300 million per annum.

Commenting on the presentations , Oxford BioMedica's Chief Executive, Prof. Alan
Kingsman said 'The Company's neurobiology programme goes from strength to
strength. These new data pave the way for MoNuDin to enter clinical development
on schedule and, in addition, they bode well for the SMA programme'.


-Ends-



For further information, please contact:

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

City/Financial Enquiries:
Mike Wort, James Chandler: Beattie Financial           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 gene-based products for a range of unmet medical needs with an
emphasis on new cancer products, which combine novel mechanisms of action with
very low side effects, and innovative neurotherapy products, which address large
and, in several areas, untapped markets. The products are all protected by
multiple patents comprising a total intellectual property portfolio of
approximately 70 patent families.

In addition to its technical research skill-base, Oxford BioMedica has in-house
clinical, regulatory and manufacturing know-how. The development pipeline
includes two novel anti-cancer products in clinical trials and a gene-based
treatment for Parkinson's disease, which is in late preclinical studies.

TroVax(R), Oxford BioMedica's lead cancer immunotherapy product, is in Phase II
trials for colorectal cancer. Further Phase II trials are planned for breast and
renal cancer. MetXia(R), Oxford BioMedica's lead gene-based cancer therapeutic,
is based on a highly engineered retrovirus gene delivery system expressing a
specific human cytochrome P450 gene. MetXia is being investigated in a Phase I/
II trial in breast cancer, and is scheduled to start further clinical trials in
pancreatic cancer.

Oxford BioMedica has a wholly owned subsidiary in San Diego, USA. Oxford
BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet, Kiadis, Amersham,
Arius Research and Viragen.

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


2. MoNuDinTM and Motor Neuron Disease

MoNuDin comprises a neuroprotective gene delivered by the Company's proprietary
LentiVector system. The product is designed to be injected into muscle, where it
enters motor neurons via the neuromuscular junctions. It then travels along the
nerves to the spinal cord by a process known as retrograde transport and then
mediates its therapeutic effect within the body of the nerve cells in the spine.

Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of related diseases
affecting the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons are the
nerve cells along which the brain sends instructions, in the form of electrical
impulses, to the muscles. Degeneration of the motor neurons leads to weakness
and wasting of muscles. This generally occurs in arms or legs initially, some
groups of muscles being affected more than others. MND is generally a steadily
progressive disease, but the rate of progression varies greatly from one person
to another.

MND can affect any adult at any age but most people who have MND are over the
age of 40 and the highest incidence is in the 50-70 age range. Men are affected
slightly more often than women.

The precise figures for the incidence and prevalence of MND are still uncertain.
In the US, more than 5,600 people are diagnosed with MND each year. As many as
30,000 Americans may currently be affected by MND and the average life
expectancy of a patient is two to five years from time of diagnosis. The
estimated number of people with MND in the UK is up to 5,000.


3. The US ALS Association

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease (Lou Gehrig was a Yankee
Hall of Famer who died of ALS in 1939) is the most prevalent form of motor
neuron disease. The ALS Association in the US is the largest private source of
funding for ALS-specific scientific research in the world, seeking to identify
the cause, means of prevention, and cure for ALS. The ALS Association has some
82 active scientific research projects in its portfolio representing a total
commitment of $12 million.

Further information on the ALS Association is available at http://www.alsa.org


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