New Ascot License

Ascot PLC 6 March 2001 Date 6 March 2001 Contact Howard Dyer, Executive Chairman Ascot Plc 020 7815 0805 David Bick Holborn Public Relations 020 7929 5599 david.bick@holbornpr.co.uk ASCOT PLC ASCOT LICENSES NOYORI ASYMMETRIC KETONE HYDROGENATION TECHNOLOGY In a ground breaking deal of its kind, Professor Noyori of the world-renowned Nagoya University in Japan and the Japan Science and Technology Corporation (JST) have licensed to Ascot's fine chemicals subsidiary, ChiroTech, the transfer and pressure hydrogenation technologies for the asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones into chiral alcohols discovered and developed by Professor Noyori. Marking a key stage in a relationship with Noyori and JST ongoing since 1998, the deal represents the first time that a Western fine chemicals company has licensed the rights to such technology for use at commercial scale. Pressure hydrogenation and particularly hydrogenation transfer catalysis are key technologies in the cost effective production of chiral alcohols, one of the most widely used classes of advanced intermediates in pharmaceutical synthesis. It is recognised that this technology is an optimum route for commercial scale manufacture. In combination with its own internal proprietary technology and broad expertise in chemical synthesis, Ascot, through ChiroTech, is already applying the technology to a range of in-house and bespoke client projects. Howard Dyer, Chairman of Ascot plc, commented 'This license consolidates ChiroTech's position as the market leader in the application of asymmetric hydrogenation technology. Professor Noyori is an acknowledged world authority in asymmetric catalysis and a key member of our technology advisory panel. 'We are honoured that Professor Noyori and his colleagues have granted us the opportunity to fully exploit this technology on a global basis.' Adding to the announcement, Professor Noyori said 'We are very pleased that we have been able to license this technology to ChiroTech. They have consistently demonstrated their ability to develop commercial applications and improve and develop new global markets for catalytic based technologies. My colleagues and I look forward to seeing our technology used to provide important manufacturing solutions in the life science industry and to build a long and successful relationship with Ascot.' - ENDS -