RNS Number:3437M
Skyepharma PLC
16 June 2003


For Immediate Release                          16 June, 2003


                 SkyePharma Welcomes Publication of Studies on
         Additional Potential Therapeutic Applications for Paxil CRTM

LONDON, ENGLAND, June 16, 2003 -- SkyePharma PLC (Nasdaq: SKYE; LSE: SKP)
welcomes the recent publication of studies on three potential additional
therapeutic applications for Paxil CRTM (paroxetine HCl) Controlled Release.
Data from double blind placebo controlled studies on the use of Paxil CRTM in
treating social anxiety disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) were
presented at the 156th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in
San Francisco (22nd-24th May). The 4th June issue of the Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA) included a paper on a double blind placebo controlled
study of Paxil CRTM in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes (known as "hot
flushes" in some countries).

The social anxiety study examined 370 patients who were treated with doses of
Paxil CRTM between 12.5 mg and 37.5 mg a day or with placebo. A significantly
larger number of patients treated with Paxil CRTM achieved remission than with
placebo and the drop-out rate with Paxil CRTM was comparable to placebo. Social
anxiety is a condition characterised by extreme reluctance to engage in social
activity and can have profound impact on patients' lives. The condition is
believed to affect about 10 million patients in the USA.

In the PMDD studies, over 1000 patients were enrolled in three separate studies
and were treated with either Paxil CRTM at a daily dose of 12.5 or 24 mg or
with placebo. Even at the lowest dose, there was a significant improvement in
patients' emotional and physical symptoms over placebo and the drug was
well-tolerated. PMDD is a condition that affects about 5% of menstruating women
and is characterised by severe and disabling mood swings and physical symptoms
around the end of the menstrual cycle.

The JAMA paper reported the results of a study of 165 women experiencing
menopausal hot flashes treated with Paxil CRTM at 12.5 mg or 25 mg a day or
with placebo. After 6 weeks of treatment there was a significant improvement in
the frequency and severity of hot flashes in over 60% of those treated with
Paxil CRTM against 38% on placebo. Paxil CRTM was well tolerated with the
incidence of adverse events near placebo level. This finding is interesting
because of the concerns raised recently by the Women's Health Initiative study
over the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, the current main
treatment for menopausal hot flashes.

GlaxoSmithKline launched Paxil CRTM in the USA in April 2002. Paxil(R), a
leading anxiolytic-antidepressant, was reformulated using SkyePharma's
GeomatrixTM oral drug delivery technology. SkyePharma receives ongoing royalty
payments on net sales. Paxil CRTM is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for the treatment of major depressive disorder and panic
disorder. The FDA is currently reviewing Paxil CRTM as a treatment for social
anxiety disorder and for premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Michael Ashton, SkyePharma's chief executive officer commented, "Paxil CRTM,
the flagship of our GeomatrixTM oral drug delivery platform technology, has
been very successful since its US launch last year. According to IMS market
data, Paxil CRTM currently accounts for over 36% of new prescriptions for the
entire Paxil(R)/Paxil CRTM franchise in the U.S. Clinical studies have
demonstrated that Paxil CRTM significantly reduces the incidence of nausea, a
common and troublesome side-effect that results in poor compliance with many
SSRI antidepressants. The low drop-out rate for patients on Paxil CRTM may
increase the likelihood that patients will obtain the full therapeutic benefit.
The new studies reported recently imply several potential new applications for
Paxil CRTM, expanding the market opportunity for the product.''

Paxil CRTM is a controlled-release formulation of GlaxoSmithKline's leading
antidepressant Paxil(R). In 2002, worldwide sales of Paxil(R) (including Paxil
CRTM) were over #2.0 billion, #1.4 billion of which was in the U.S. The
GeomatrixTM formulation is a multi-layered tablet that controls the dissolution
and absorption of the drug in the body. Paxil CRTM offers flexible dosing and
is available in three different dosing strengths: 12.5 mg, 25 mg and 37.5 mg.

Notes to Editors

About SkyePharma

SkyePharma PLC uses its world-leading drug delivery technology to develop
easier-to-use and more effective formulations of drugs. The majority of
challenges faced in the formulation and delivery of drugs can be addressed by
one of the Company's proprietary technologies in the areas of oral, injectable,
inhaled and topical delivery, supported by advanced solubilisation capabilities.
For more information, visit http://www.skyepharma.com.

About GeomatrixTM

GeomatrixTM controlled release systems control the amount, timing and location
of drug release into the body. This is achieved by constructing a tablet with
two basic components: a core containing the active drug or drugs, and one or two
additional barrier layers that control the drugs' diffusion out of the core.
Tablets with a wide range of predictable and reproducible drug release profiles
can be made by combining different chemical components in the core and barrier
layers, each with a different rates of swelling, gelling and erosion.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and
health care companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by
enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information
visit http://www.gsk.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding SkyePharma
PLC and its technologies. Actual results may differ materially from those
described in the press release as a result of a number of factors, including but
not limited to the following: There can be no assurance that SkyePharma will
exercise its option to sign a technology access and license agreement for
micro-encapsulation technology, nor that any product will be successfully
developed incorporating micro-encapsulation technology, or that final results of
human clinical trials will result in the regulatory approvals required to market
products, or that final regulatory approval will be received in a timely manner,
if at all, or that patient and physician acceptance of these products will be
achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any such
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
this release.

For further information please contact:

SkyePharma PLC                                                 +44 207 491 1777
Michael Ashton, Chief Executive Officer
Peter Laing, Director of Corporate Communications

Sandra Haughton, US Investor Relations                         +1 212 753 5780

Buchanan Communications                                        +44 207 466 5000
Tim Anderson / Nicola How


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