Licenses novel Peptide

Synairgen plc
15 November 2006


15th November 2006

                                 Synairgen plc
                         ('Synairgen' or 'the Company')

            Synairgen licenses novel Peptide for Treatment of Asthma

Southampton, UK - Synairgen plc (LSE: SNG), the drug discovery company focused
on targeting the underlying causes of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease ('COPD'), has obtained an exclusive licence to intellectual property
relating to a novel peptide with potential to treat asthma. The discovery was
made at the University of Southampton by Dr Allison Lynn Andrews, Dr John
Holloway and Professor Donna Davies (a co-founder of Synairgen) in research
funded by Asthma UK. In preliminary in vitro studies the peptide has been shown
to suppress the effects of both IL-4 (interleukin-4) and IL-13 (interleukin-13),
the inflammatory proteins considered central to the development of allergic
asthma.

Current research strongly suggests that IL-4 and IL-13 are responsible not only
for inflammation, but also for the increase in smooth muscle and mucus
production, which are the hallmarks of chronic asthma. Therapies targeting these
proteins are being progressed by a number of biotechnology and pharmaceutical
companies. Most of these strategies involve the development of interleukin
blocking mechanisms such as antibodies or 'decoy' receptors, but the Southampton
peptide mimics the body's natural mechanism already employed by cells to damp
down the effects of both inflammatory proteins. The novel research by the
Southampton team, which underpinned this discovery, was recently published in
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2006; 118:858-865). Synairgen
will initially use its proprietary disease models to work closely with Dr
Andrews and Professor Davies to validate the discovery, and to develop and
optimise this novel peptide in order to progress it into the clinical
development stage.

In addition, Synairgen is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Phillip Monk
as Head of Bioscience Development. Phillip was previously Director of the
Respiratory and Inflammation Biology group at Cambridge Antibody Technology
('CAT') and led the scientific development of CAT-354, an anti-IL-13 antibody
being developed for the treatment of severe asthma. Prior to joining CAT, he
worked at Bayer AG within the respiratory disease therapeutic area, focusing on
the development of novel therapies for asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. At
Synairgen, Phillip will be responsible for the translation of discoveries from
the laboratory to the clinic.

Richard Marsden, Managing Director of Synairgen said, 'This is a potentially
very significant discovery in our mission to find the next generation of asthma
therapy. The industry has invested significant resource into individual and
combined anti IL-13 and IL-4 approaches, and our proprietary peptide appears to
suppress both proteins in a unique way. We are also delighted that, in Phill
Monk, we have recruited an individual with great experience in this field to
guide the commercial development of this programme.'

                                     -Ends-

For further information please contact:

Synairgen                                 Tel: [phone]
Richard Marsden, Managing Director

Hogarth Partnership                       Tel: [phone]
Georgina Briscoe / Charlie Field


Notes to Editors

1. Background to the Company

Synairgen was founded by Professors Stephen Holgate, Donna Davies and Ratko
Djukanovic (the 'Founders'), a world-renowned respiratory research team from the
University of Southampton (the 'University'), and spun-out from the University
in June 2003.

In October 2004 the Company floated on AIM, raising £10.0 million (£9.0 million
net of expenses) to enhance its research and development capabilities and invest
in its proprietary programmes. The Company's lead proprietary programme for
inhaled interferon beta, which seeks to protect severe asthmatics from the
debilitating attacks and frequent hospitalisations induced by the common cold
(rhinovirus), has progressed into its Phase I clinical trial.

More information about Synairgen may be found at www.synairgen.com.

2. Asthma

   • In the United States, there are approximately 20 million asthmatics and
     the annual economic cost is $16 billion.

   • There are 1,900,000 emergency department visits due to asthma per year
     in the US.

   • The cost of emergency department visits and in-patient care in relation
     to asthma in the US is $4.1 billion.

   • In the UK, about a fifth of children (21%) and 15% of adults have a
     diagnosis of asthma.

3. Asthma UK

Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the
5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. For up-to-date
news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website
www.asthma.org.uk.



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