RNS Number:3022Q
Theratase PLC
30 September 2003

For Immediate Release:                                        30 September 2003

                                  THERATASE PLC
                                        
                Subsidiary Signs New 3-Year Supply Agreement Deal

Theratase plc, one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of
specialist enzymes to the diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries, is pleased
to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary Biozyme Laboratories Limited
("Biozyme") has signed a new three-year supply agreement with Lifescan Europe
("Lifescan").

Under the terms of the agreement Biozyme will supply high-grade glucose oxidase
to Lifescan's subsidiary Inverness Medical Limited for incorporation into its
range of biosensors manufactured in Inverness.

Lifescan's biosensors are used by diabetics to maintain close regulation over
blood glucose levels and play an instrumental role in a diabetic's day-to-day
control. Long-term studies in the UK (1) and US (2) show that tight regulation
of blood glucose levels significantly reduces the likelihood of complications
such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, blindness, amputations and poor
pregnancy outcomes. It is estimated that there are over 1.4 million diabetics in
the UK alone and the prevalence of diabetes is increasing and is projected to
more than double to 3 million by the year 2010 (3).

Commenting on the importance of this new supply agreement deal, Dr John Chesham,
Chief Executive of Theratase said,

"We are very excited about this agreement as it further cements Biozyme's
position as the global leader for the supply of glucose oxidase into the home
diabetes blood glucose testing market."


                                    - ENDS -

For further information, please contact:

Theratase plc
Dr. John Chesham, Chief Executive                     Tel: +44 (0) 20 7863 8819
Colin Anderson, Finance Director

Buchanan Communications                               Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Charles Ryland / James Strong



Notes to Editors:

Theratase: a specialist in the development, manufacture and marketing of enzymes
and biochemicals to the diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries. Floated in
1993, its core business, Biozyme Laboratories Ltd., was set up in 1971 and has
over 30 years' experience in the field of enzyme production.

For people with diabetes, maintaining good control requires constant awareness
and attention to their diabetes through regular blood glucose testing and
treatment through healthy eating, physical activity and medication. Currently
diabetes accounts for nearly 5 per cent of total NHS spend and 10 per cent of
hospital inpatient costs

1)  UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS33) Group. Intensive
blood glucose control with suphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional
treatment and risk of complications in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Lancet
1988, 352:837-853.

2)  Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) Research
Group. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and
progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
The New England Journal of Medicine Vol 329:14. September 30, 1993.

3)  Amos AF, McCarty DJ, Zimmet P, The rising global burden of
diabetes and its complications; estimates and projections to the year 2010,
Diabetic Medicine 1997, Vol 14, suppl. 5, pp1-85




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