RNS Number:6475U
BioFocus PLC
27 January 2004


For Immediate Release                                            27 January 2004



       BIOFOCUS GRANTS ASTRAZENECA ACCESS TO THEMATIC ANALYSIS TECHNOLOGY


Chesterford Research Park, UK, 27 January 2003 - BioFocus plc (AIM: BIO), a
world leader in collaborative drug discovery, today announces it has granted
AstraZeneca access to its Thematic Analysis(TM) technology. BioFocus' proprietary
technology enables rapid acceleration of early-stage drug discovery.

This agreement allows AstraZeneca to apply Thematic Analysis(TM) to all of its
G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) targets.  The proven technology will be used
to design novel compounds that 'hit' GPCRs - the targets for more than 40% of
the drugs currently on the market.  This group of drug targets are very
important as they are implicated in a broad range of diseases, including
obesity, diabetes, cancer and depression.

Under the terms of the agreement, BioFocus will provide AstraZeneca with access
to its know-how in the area of GPCR drug design.

Geoff McMillan, BioFocus' Chief Executive, said:  "This new collaboration
highlights the strength of our Thematic Analysis(TM) technology suite.  We are
very pleased that, once more, we can use this technology to help major companies
such as AstraZeneca in their search for new world class drugs."


For further information

  BioFocus                                                   +44 (0)1799 533500
  Geoff McMillan, Chief Executive

  Buchanan Communications                                    +44 (0)20 7466 5000
  Tim Anderson/Rebecca Skye Dietrich


Notes to Editors

Thematic Analysis has been developed by BioFocus to enable the rational design
of GPCR lead-finding libraries and rapid GPCR hit-to-lead optimisation. It is a
novel, predictive and knowledge-based technology which specifically associates
defined topological patterns within families of receptors to key structural
features of molecules.


About BioFocus

BioFocus is a leading drug discovery company working in partnership with major
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.  Additionally it is developing a
portfolio of internal drug discovery programmes aimed at providing drug leads
for partnering.  The company was founded in 1997 and is quoted on the
Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.  BioFocus works with
a wide range of global clients and in 2002 provided services and/or products to
22 leading pharmaceutical companies.


About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the
research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals
and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the top five pharmaceutical
companies in the world with healthcare sales of over $17.8 billion and leading
positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience
and respiratory products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index (Global and European) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.  Worldwide,
AstraZeneca has six major research and development sites and four discovery
sites employing more than 11,000 people in six countries including Canada,
France, India, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.  For more
information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com/research.




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