Cambridge Discovery Chemistry Limited

CAMBRIDGE COMBINATORIAL SIGNS DEAL WITH PROCTER & GAMBLE PHARMACEUTICALS

Cambridge Combinatorial to Provide Chemistry Services in Lead Optimisation

Cambridge, UK … Cambridge Combinatorial Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Molecular Group plc (London Stock Exchange: OMG), today announced an agreement with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals (P&GP) for the provision of chemistry services.

Cambridge Combinatorial will be responsible for synthesising compounds to establish structure activity relationships (SAR) aimed at converting P&GP's drug screening hits into chemical leads. Cambridge Combinatorial, in collaboration with Oxford Molecular Group's Software Division, will also provide consultancy services to P&GP on the development of a fully integrated informatics system compatible with the company's existing internal program.

Dr Allan Marchington, Chief Executive of Cambridge Combinatorial said: "While we cannot disclose the financial details, this is a significant contract for Cambridge Combinatorial and we are pleased Procter & Gamble has recognised the value of our strength and track record in the area of lead optimisation."

In addition to research fees, the payment schedule will include milestone payments and will reflect the long term success of any compounds supplied by Cambridge Combinatorial to P&GP.

For further information, please contact:
Cambridge Combinatorial
David T Philips, Vice-President, Business Development
Tel: +44 1223 722400

HCC·De Facto Group plc
Michaela Mahon/Chris Gardner, HCC·De Facto Group plc
Tel: +44 171 496 3300

Notes to editors

Cambridge Combinatorial Limited
Cambridge Combinatorial Limited provides world-class, innovative chemistry services to accelerate discovery and process research, servicing the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and biotechnology industries. Cambridge Combinatorial is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Molecular Group (plc). OMG originally provided a Ł2 million investment in Cambridge Combinatorial and acquired the remainder of the Company in October 1998.

Oxford Molecular
Oxford Molecular is a worldwide provider of information technology and drug discovery research services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical industries. Headquartered in Oxford, England, the company also has operations in eight US cities as well as sales offices and agents around the world. The company supplies desktop and enterprise-wide software solutions that support research across the entire discovery process, including target identification, lead identification and optimization, molecular modeling and physico-chemical property prediction. Oxford Molecular's drug discovery research services offer an integrated, highly cost-effective solution for accelerating drug discovery utilizing teams of experienced pharmaceutical researchers who use state-of-the-art technologies to develop novel targets and advanced screening capabilities, design novel active compounds and synthesize high quality compounds using combinatorial chemistry.