Oxagen Announces the Appointment of David U’prichard as Non-Executive Chairman

Abingdon, UK, 7 May 2004… Oxagen Limited, the drug discovery company focused on target identification and validation through human genetics, announces that Dr David U’Prichard is to join its board of directors at the end of May as Non-Executive Chairman. He replaces David White who will step down from the Oxagen board at that time.

David U’Prichard brings significant and directly relevant R&D experience to the Company, in line with Oxagen’s strategic focus. Based in Philadephia, USA, Dr U’Prichard is President of Druid Consulting LLC, providing consulting services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and is a Venture Partner with Apax Partners Ltd. From 1999 to 2003 he was CEO of 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals Inc., which is now part of Johnson & Johnson. Previously he was Chairman of R&D at SmithKline Beecham and International Research Director for ICI/Zeneca.

David has overseen the entry of many compounds into global development, early and late stage clinical trials and the international registration of the leading diabetes drug Avandia®. He has held academic appointments at Northwestern University, John Hopkins University, the University of Pennsylvania and is an Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow. He also serves on the boards of directors of Invitrogen Corp, Guilford Pharmaceuticals Corp, Lynx Therapeutics, Inc., Predict, Inc, Exsar Inc. and Genematrix, and is Chairman of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association.

Dr Mark Payton, CEO of Oxagen said: “I am delighted to welcome David U’Prichard to our Board at this point of transition for the Company. His expertise in drug research and development, and contacts in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, will, I am sure, be of immense benefit to Oxagen. I would also like to thank David White for his contribution to the development of Oxagen over the past 5 years, including overseeing its major financing in 2000 and subsequent change in strategic emphasis.”

David White brought considerable experience to Oxagen from his successful career with the major pharmaceutical outsourcing company Innovex, later acquired by Quintiles Transnational, and previously ICI Pharmaceuticals. Having joined Oxagen’s board in 1999 and as Chairman since 2000, he chaired Oxagen through its transition from a population-genetics focused business to an emerging drug discovery business.