RNS Number:4962M
PPL Therapeutics PLC
18 June 2003

Contacts:

For Bayer:
Tricia McKernan
Bayer Biological Products
Telephone:      001 919/316-6316

Steve Walker
Fleishman-Hillard
Telephone:      001 816/512-2270

For PPL Therapeutics:
Geoff Cook, CEO
PPL Therapeutics
Telephone:      + 44 131 440 4777

Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
Hudson Sandler
Telephone:      + 44 20 7796 4133
email: ppl@hspr.co.uk



                              PPL Therapeutics plc

       Bayer Healthcare LLC and PPL Therapeutics make the following joint
                                 announcement:

          Bayer BP and PPL to Place Recombinant Alpha-1 Antitrypsin 
                        Development Project on Hold


Research Triangle Park, N.C. (June 18, 2003) - Today Bayer Biological Products
(BP) and PPL Therapeutics plc (PPL) announced a decision to put their
recombinant Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (recAAT) development program on hold. Although
significant advances have been made since the end of Phase II clinical trials,
the resources required to move the project forward, combined with the decision
not to build a commercial purification facility because of the financial risk,
have led the companies to the decision to place the project on hold.  As a
result, Bayer BP will devote its resources to process and development
improvements for Prolastin(R), Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor (human), which will
benefit the Alpha-1 community more immediately. PPL's future strategy is the
subject of a separate announcement made today.

Bayer BP and PPL are currently negotiating the terms of the agreement necessary
to put the project on hold while preserving Bayer's right to restart the project
at a later date.

PPL will have no development, manufacturing, or financial commitments in
the program moving forward. Both parties will retain their existing IP rights.
Bayer retains its exclusive license to recAAT in hereditary emphysema and Cystic
Fibrosis.

Commenting on this decision, Dr. Gunnar Riemann, president, Bayer BP Division
said, "It is clear that the best use of our resources is to focus on ways to
increase available supplies of Prolastin(R).   Building on our more than 15
years of commitment to the Alpha-1 community, we will continue to invest in
research and technology to not only increase product supply, but also to produce
innovative products and delivery techniques."

Geoff Cook, PPL's CEO commented  "we are of course deeply disappointed to put
this program on hold, one in which both companies have devoted major efforts.
Today's decision to put the program on hold in no way reflects upon the
significant endeavors of the work force over the last few years."  



About Bayer HealthCare

Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the divisions of Bayer AG in
the fields of Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics, Animal Health,
and Pharmaceuticals. More than 34,000 employees support the worldwide operations
of Bayer HealthCare.

Bayer Biological Products is part of the worldwide operations of Bayer
HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's
leading innovators in the health care and medical products industries.

Information about Bayer Biological Products Division can be found at
www.bayerbiologicals.com.

About PPL Therapeutics

Further information about PPL Therapeutics, its products and technologies can be
found at:  www.ppl-therapeutics.com


Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current
assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material
differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development
or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors
include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our
Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these
forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.


--------------------------


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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