Research Update

Synairgen plc
24 May 2006


23 May 2006

                                  SYNAIRGEN PLC
                         ('Synairgen' or the 'Company')


  New research signals second indication for Interferon beta programme in COPD


24 May 2006, Southampton, UK - Synairgen, the drug discovery company focused on
the underlying causes of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
('COPD'), today announces new research signalling a second indication for its
inhaled interferon beta ('IFN-beta') programme. This new discovery is being
presented today at the American Thoracic Society conference in San Diego, USA,
the largest annual international conference of respiratory physicians.

COPD, which is predominantly caused by smoking, is the fourth leading cause of
death worldwide and is an area of significant unmet clinical need. Its total
annual economic cost to the United States exceeds $35 billion, twice the cost of
asthma. It is forecast that the global market for COPD drugs will double to $10
billion per annum over the next five years. The common cold (Rhinovirus) is a
major factor behind the worsening of COPD symptoms and resultant
hospitalisations. Preliminary data presented by Synairgen today, derived from
its in vitro models of airway cells from smokers, indicates that these are
unusually susceptible to the common cold virus and that the addition of IFN-beta
improves their natural defence system. This suggests that IFN-beta treatment has
the potential to reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation of COPD patients as a
consequence of common cold infections.

Following this discovery, Synairgen will utilise its in vitro models of COPD to
further validate this target. The Company's inhaled IFN-beta programme for
asthma is currently in Phase I trials. It is anticipated that the successful
completion of these trials will help to accelerate clinical studies for this
additional indication.

Richard Marsden, Managing Director of Synairgen, said, 'Pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies are increasingly focusing on speciality drugs that
address specific patient types which are under-treated within large disease
areas. Synairgen's focus is on the under-served severe segments of asthma and
COPD. With the addition of COPD to our interferon programme, we now have two
distinct indications where successful drugs could achieve annual sales in excess
of $1 billion.'

                                     -Ends-


On Friday 26 May, Professor Stephen Holgate will be giving a short briefing to
press and analysts on his views of the most exciting developments in asthma
presented at the May 2006 American Thoracic Society and a brief update on
Synairgen's IFN- beta programme. For more information, please contact Natalie
Barone on tel: [phone].


For further information, please contact:

Synairgen
Richard Marsden, Managing Director                          Tel: [phone]
Hogarth Partnership
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Georgina Briscoe / Charlie Field     Tel: [phone]


Notes to Editors


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.


For more information, please visit Synairgen's website at: www.synairgen.com.




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