RNS Number:5113J
Proteome Sciences PLC
02 April 2003


                                 PRESS RELEASE

  Proteome Sciences Announces Licensing Agreement and Collaboration with IDEXX
          Laboratories on Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Mad Cow Disease


2nd April 2003

Proteome Sciences plc (Proteome Sciences) announced today that it has entered
into a licensing and collaboration agreement with IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
(Nasdaq:IDXX), for its Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) biomarkers. This
contract follows the licensing agreement announced last December with Biosite
for Proteome Sciences biomarkers in blood for stroke and provides strong
endorsement of the value and the utility of Proteome Sciences technology.

The licensing agreement grants IDEXX Laboratories, a world leader in veterinary
diagnostics, exclusive global rights to develop and commercialise diagnostic
assays for the detection of BSE in cattle and Transmissible Spongiform
Encephalopathies (TSEs) in other animals. The EU cattle population totaled 80
million in 2001. The BSE market for post mortem testing of cattle was Euro105m,
with the EU paying Euro15 for each test kit. Experts estimate that the demand could
grow to 30 million tests in the EU, projecting a future market size of Euro450m.
These figures exclude any demand from the USA, which has an estimated 100
million cattle population.

The global market for live animal testing for BSE using a simple blood test is
expected to be much larger and IDEXX will use Proteome Sciences proprietary
biomarkers to seek to develop highly sensitive blood assays for the testing of
live animals. Current detection methods require brain tissue or spinal cord
samples from slaughtered animals.

Under the terms of the agreement, Proteome Sciences will receive upfront and
milestone payments and royalties on sales of products incorporating Proteome
Sciences biomarkers.

Commenting, Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive Officer of Proteome Sciences
said:

"This deal endorses our research strategy to address protein changes and to
concentrate on high sensitivity differential expression of disease markers. The
results provided to IDEXX in a pilot study clearly demonstrated the power of our
technology and we are delighted to conclude an agreement with them to develop a
blood test for BSE in live cattle.

In addition to BSE and stroke, we have a range of other biomarker research
programmes that are coming through to commercialisation. These, coupled with our
high throughput state-of-the-art proteomics facilities in Frankfurt and London,
leave us strongly positioned to capitalize on the rapid growth in proteomics
which is forecast to reach $5.6 billion in 2005."

Commenting, Dr. Quentin Tonelli, Vice President of IDEXX said:

"BSE and other TSEs are important health concerns. The veterinary market
currently has no proven diagnostics for BSE in live cattle. Proteome Sciences
proprietary proteomic technologies and identification of novel protein markers
in blood will enhance our efforts to develop products to serve this major unmet
need in veterinary diagnostics."


ENDS

                    For further information please contact:

Proteome Sciences plc                  Tel: +44 (0) 1932 865065

Christopher Pearce, Chief Executive    

e-mail: christopher.pearce@proteome.co.uk

www.proteome.co.uk


James Green, Commercial Director       Tel: +44 (0) 7768 026962

e-mail: james.green@proteome.co.uk

Ian Pike, Business Development Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1932 865065

e-mail: ian.pike@proteome.co.uk


Public Relations for Proteome Sciences

Ikon Associates

Adrian Shaw                            Tel: +44 (0) 1483 271291

Mobile: + 44(0) 797 9900733

e-mail: adrian@ikon-associates.com



IDEXX Incorporated                     Tel: +1 207 856 0300

Elizabeth Perry, Investor Relations    betsy-perry: @idexx.com

www.idexx.com


Note to Editors

Proteome Sciences plc applies high sensitivity proteomics to identify and
characterise differential protein expression in diseases for diagnostic,
prognostic and therapeutic applications. It has to date developed sensitive
blood assays for stroke, nvCJD, BSE and solid organ transplant rejection.

The main focus of its research currently addresses neurological,
neurodegenerative, diabetes/obesity, oncology and cardiovascular conditions.
Commercialisation of these programmes will be effected through strategic
alliances and licensing agreements.

Proteome Sciences is headquartered in Cobham, Surrey in the UK and has
laboratories at Kings College Hospital, London and in Frankfurt. It employs 40
full time scientists in addition to its corporate and business development
staff. The Company has been listed on the Alternative Investment Market since
1994.


IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the development and
commercialization of innovative, technology-based products and services for
animal health. The Company's largest business is focused on companion animal
health, combining biotechnology, medical device technology and information
technology to aid veterinarians in providing better medicine while building
successful practices. IDEXX Laboratories is also focused on employing innovative
technologies to monitor production animal health and the safety and quality of
drinking water and milk. Headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, IDEXX Laboratories
employs more than 2,100 people and offers products to customers in more than 50
countries.


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