Release issued 22nd November 2005

Erwinase™, which was developed by scientists at the Agency's Centre at Porton, will be manufactured there and under an exclusive deal, packaged, marketed and distributed by OPi Pharmaceuticals.

Current front line therapies used in the treatment of childhood leukaemia can cause allergic reactions in up to 30 per cent of patients, and Erwinase™ is an effective alternative for which there is considerable clinical demand.

Welcoming the deal which will see the product available before the end of the year, Sir William Stewart, Chairman of the Health Protection Agency said: "The Health Protection Agency is committed to ensuring that products from its research base are proactively targeted into areas of public health need. Childhood leukaemia is one such area and we are delighted to do our part in generating a product of likely benefit to some childhood leukaemia sufferers.The funding such arrangements generate will all be ploughed back into the Agency's front line services and its research programme."

Professor Pat Troop, the Agency's Chief Executive said: "It is hugely encouraging to see the Agency's work making such a fundamental contribution to improving health. Erwinase™ offers hope to children who are very sick and vulnerable and I believe that the excellence of the Agency's science base will enable us to develop more products of this nature."

Erwinase™ is an enzymatic anti-cancer agent used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and some non- Hodgkin lymphomas.

Notes to Editors

1. For further information contact Elisabeth Guichard at OPi tel: +33(0)437498597; fax:+ 33 (0)437498599; email: opi@orphan-opi.com; website: www.orphan-opi.com or Roger Hinton at the Health Protection Agency tel: +44(0)1980 612725; fax: +44(0)1980 612241 ; email: business@hpa.org.uk; website: www.hpa.org.uk/business

2. OPI Pharmaceuticals for Rare Diseases was founded in 1999 and is a European biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets pharmaceuticals designed to treat patients suffering from rare and severe diseases.

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