RNS Number:5031T
Scipher PLC
19 December 2003


                          Scipher plc (the "Company")

                             Director's Shareholding

The Company was informed today that on 18 December 2003 Dr Rudolph Burger, Chief
Executive of the Company, purchased 100,000 ordinary 1p shares in the Company
("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 3.2p per Ordinary Share. Following this
transaction, Dr Burger is beneficially interest in 100,000 Ordinary Shares,
which represents 0.04 per cent. of the Company's issued Ordinary Share capital.

In addition, on 18 December 2003 Dr Burger was granted 10,000,000 options over
Ordinary Shares under the Company's 1999 Unapproved Share Option Plan with an
exercise price of 3.5p (being the closing mid price of an Ordinary Share on 18
December 2003) and are exerciseable from 18 December 2006 until 18 December
2013. Dr Burger is not interested in any other options over Ordinary Shares.

19 December 2003



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