RNS Number:5141O
M.L. Laboratories PLC
11 August 2003


Embargoed until 07.00                                           11th August 2003



                        ADEPT ADHESION REDUCTION THERAPY

                     INTERIM ANALYSIS OF US PHASE III DATA


The independent Data Monitoring Committee ("DMC") of ML's US Phase III pivotal
study to determine the efficacy and safety of Adept in the reduction of post
surgical adhesions after laparoscopic surgery ("the PAMELA study") has completed
its analysis of the data relating to the first set of 205 completed patients in
accordance with the strict protocol approved by the US Food and Drug
Administration ("FDA").

ML is pleased to announce that the DMC has reported that there are no concerns
relating to the safety of Adept and has recommended that the study should
continue.

The data from the remaining patient set are required to confirm the safety
profile and to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate the efficacy of Adept
to the satisfaction of the FDA. The study is anticipated to complete in Q3 2004.

The PAMELA study is a pivotal Phase III clinical evaluation of Adept solution as
an adjunct to adhesiolysis surgery being conducted in 15 gynaecology units in
the US. The total proposed patient numbers (410) were based on statistical
analysis of a previous five centre Phase II study. PAMELA is a double blind
comparison of Adept and standard therapy (Ringer's lactate solution), and the
protocol included a provision for an independent interim analysis of the data
after completion of 50% (205) of the patients. This analysis was conducted by an
independent external organisation and appropriate information blinded by
treatment group was supplied directly to members of the DMC.

Adhesions are a serious and frequent complication following abdominal and
gynaecological surgery and are expensive to treat, often requiring further
surgery and hospitalisation. Adept offers significant advantages over competing
products as it is an easy to use, low viscosity solution which can be delivered
via a laparoscope in minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery and is readily
incorporated into routine surgical procedures. Furthermore, Adept is
significantly less expensive than other products.

Adept is currently on sale throughout Europe via Shire Pharmaceuticals to whom
the European rights were licensed in October 2001. ML has retained all rights to
Adept for the rest of the world and discussions are ongoing with potential
licencees regarding the rights for several territories.

                                    - Ends -


Enquiries:                                                   Tel:

ML Laboratories PLC - Corporate

S.W. Sim            - Executive Chairman                     01925 844 700
P.J. Shennan        - Chief Operating Officer                01925 844 700
                      and Finance Director

ML Laboratories PLC - Adept Licensing
A.L. Barrett        - Business Development Manager           01635 298 138

Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Kevin Smith/Cass Helstrip                                    020 7067 0700


Note to Editors:

ML is a biopharmaceutical product development company with a track record of
successful clinical development, regulatory approval and licensing of
pharmaceutical products and a pipeline of future products targeted at specialist
markets. ML's activities are supported by a growing income stream from marketed
products it has successfully developed and licensed to other pharmaceutical
companies, which include Baxter, Shire and Celltech.

New therapeutic products in clinical development include cancer treatments, a
pain management compound prepared to enter Phase III studies, a preventative of
sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and a phosphate binder to assist
the management of kidney failure. ML's portfolio of early stage development
projects includes unique polymer/drug molecules to provide safer and more potent
cancer chemotherapy and technologies for use in the discovery and manufacture of
biotechnology products.

In addition ML provides inhaled drug delivery solutions to the global
pharmaceutical industry through its dedicated respiratory subsidiary Innovata
Biomed.

More information about ML Laboratories PLC can be found at www.mllabs.co.uk

Except for the historical information herein, the matters discussed in this news
release include forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly based upon a number of
factors, which include without limitation risks in obtaining and maintaining
regulatory approval for existing, new or expanded indications for its products,
other regulatory risks, risks relating to M L Laboratories' ability to
manufacture pharmaceutical products on a large scale, risks that customer
inventory will be greater than previously thought, risks concerning ML
Laboratories' ability to manage growth, market a pharmaceutical product on a
large scale and integrate and manage an internal sales and marketing
organization and maintain or expand sales and market share for its products,
risks relating to the identification and appointment of licensees, risks
relating to the ability to ensure regulatory compliance, risks related to the
research, development and regulatory approval of new pharmaceutical products,
risks related to research and development costs and capabilities, market
acceptance of and continuing demand for M L Laboratories' products and the
impact of increased competition, risks associated with anticipated top and
bottom line growth and the possibility that upside potential will not be
achieved, competitive products and pricing, and risks associated with the
ownership and use of intellectual property rights.



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