Oral Healthcare Agreement

Syntopix Group plc 21 December 2007 For immediate release 21 December 2007 SYNTOPIX GROUP PLC ('Syntopix' or 'the Company') Signs exclusive evaluation agreement in oral healthcare Syntopix Group plc (AIM: SYN), the speciality pharmaceutical research and development company focused on dermatological diseases, is pleased to announce that it has signed a 12-month exclusive evaluation agreement with a major consumer healthcare company. In this agreement, Syntopix will make available the Company's library of compounds for assessment of the compounds' application in oral healthcare. The financial details of the agreement are confidential, although Syntopix will receive an upfront payment at the start of the exclusivity period and further payments for any compounds subject to additional evaluation. Commercialisation of a compound would be subject to a licence agreement to be negotiated separately. Syntopix' core focus remains the development of prescription and OTC products for the treatment of dermatological diseases. This agreement highlights the Company's strategy of leveraging its compound library and intellectual property into additional markets. Dr Stephen Jones, Syntopix' Chief Executive Officer, said: 'This agreement in oral healthcare broadens the number of potential markets that Syntopix is targeting. Our core focus remains the development of products for the treatment of dermatological diseases, though this agreement highlights our ability to leverage our assets into new market segments.' Enquiries Syntopix Group plc + 44 (0) 845 125 9204 Dr Rod Adams, Chairman Dr Stephen Jones, Chief Executive Officer Buchanan Communications + 44 (0) 20 7466 5000 Mark Court Catherine Breen KBC Peel Hunt Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7418 8900 Capel Irwin Notes to editors About Syntopix Group plc Syntopix is a group focused on the discovery and development of drugs for the topical treatment of dermatological diseases. The company was founded in 2003 as a spin-out from the University of Leeds by Dr Jon Cove and Dr Anne Eady, two of the leading experts in skin microbiology, with initial funding from The Wellcome Trust. Syntopix' strategy is to seek to reduce the risks and costs of drug discovery and development by discovering novel uses for known compounds. The company concentrates on compounds and combinations of compounds that have a history of use in man; and that have well characterised properties, for example antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. The Group currently has 12 pending UK patent applications. Syntopix is currently concentrating on acne and Staphylococcus aureus infections and has identified a pipeline of lead drug candidates that it intends to take through pre-clinical and, as appropriate, clinical trials. The Group intends to out-license products to commercial partners on obtaining proof of principle and to seek co-development partnerships. The Group is based at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation in Bradford, giving access to the expertise in skin biology, formulation and toxicology at the universities of Bradford and Leeds. Syntopix' shareholders include Techtran Group Limited (a subsidiary of IP Group plc), The Wellcome Trust Limited, University of Leeds Limited and Ridings Early Growth Investment Company Limited. Syntopix joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in March 2006. For further information please visit www.syntopix.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange