RNS Number:5251Q
Vernalis PLC
03 October 2003


3 October 2003

                           VERNALIS PLC ("VERNALIS")

                               HOLDING IN COMPANY


On 2 October 2003, pursuant to the rules governing substantial acquisitions of
shares, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP") disclosed that it held a total of 38,097,713
Vernalis shares, representing approximately 28.06 per cent. of the issued share
capital of Vernalis plc (formerly British Biotech plc).

Vernalis was also notified on 30 September 2003, under Section 198 of the
Companies Act, that following the conversion of unit trusts into investment
companies with variable capital (ICVCs), AMVESCAP had the following notifiable
interests in the Company's shares:

1. AMVESCAP - 15,502,590 Vernalis shares representing 11.42 per cent. of the
issued share capital of Vernalis, broken down as follows:

Name of the registered holder(s) and the number of shares held by each of them:

Vidacos Nominees Ltd                    4,209,192
HSBC Nominees Ltd                       7,052,317
Chase Nominees Ltd                      1,517,849
Bank of New York Nominees Ltd           1,636,691
Northern Trust Nominees Ltd             1,084,823
CM Investment Nominees Ltd                  1,718

2. INVESCO UK Investment Series (an ICVC) - 15,208,430 Vernalis shares
representing 11.20 per cent. of the issued share capital of Vernalis.

Name of the registered holder and the number of shares held:

Vidacos Nominees Ltd                  15,208,430

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Enquiries

Vernalis plc   +44 (0)1865 781166
Tony Weir, Chief Financial Officer


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HOLFSSFIDSDSEES