Exclusive Partner

Ascot PLC 7 November 2000 Contact Howard Dyer, Executive Chairman Martin Rogers, Finance Director Ascot Plc 020 7815 0805 David Bick Holborn Public Relations 020 7929 5599 david.bick@holbornpr.co.uk ASCOT PLC ASCOT PLC APPOINTED AS EXCLUSIVE MANUFACTURING PARTNER FOR TRAVATAN(tm) Marking the successful culmination of a 5-year collaborative relationship with Alcon Laboratories, Ascot Fine Chemicals (AFC), Ascot's fine chemicals division, has been appointed as the exclusive manufacturing partner for Travatan(tm), Alcon's new glaucoma and ocular hypertension drug. Travatan(tm) has proved extremely effective in trials and has been given fast track approval status by the FDA. Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in the elderly and this drug should play an important role in the treatment of patients afflicted by this disease. AFC will be investing in new facilities to meet anticipated demand. Under the long-term agreement, AFC will manufacture the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to full cGMP and FDA compliance, using a proprietary synthetic route developed in-house by AFC. AFC is manufacturing initial quantities of the API for an anticipated US launch in 2001 and will shortly commence production for ongoing supply. Howard Dyer, Chairman of Ascot Plc commented, 'We are delighted to formalise a long-term supply and manufacturing agreement with Alcon for what is a very exciting product. The deal clearly illustrates AFC's ability to work with our customers across the pipeline to develop novel processes and manufacture complex API's on a commercial scale.' Dr Gerald D. Cagle, Alcon's Senior Vice President of Research and Development added, 'Travatan(tm) has shown great utility for the treatment of patients suffering with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Alcon's successful record in product commercialisation, combined with its leadership position in ophthalmic related products, underpins our confidence in its success. 'We are pleased that AFC will be our partner for Alcon's new chemical entity. Over the last 5 years, ChiroTech and now AFC have consistently demonstrated the expertise and ability to progress a complex project from research to commercialisation.'