RNS No 1713k
CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC
9 July 1999


For Further Information Contact:
Cambridge Antibody Technology Group plc
Dr David Chiswell, Chief Executive Officer       Tel: +44 (0) 1763 263233
John Aston, Finance Director
Dr David Glover, Medical Director
Rowena Gardner, Communications Manager

HCC.De Facto
City/Financial, Sue Charles                      Tel: +44 (0) 171 496 3300
Trade/Science, Andrew Worsfold 

BASF Pharma
Freiderike Kanne                                 Tel: +49 621 589 1428

Wyeth-Ayerst
Douglas Petkus                                   Tel: +1 610 971 4980         
        


CLINICAL TRIALS NEWS FROM CAT


Melbourn, UK   Cambridge Antibody Technology ("CAT") today announces progress
in the clinical trials of two of its fully human monoclonal antibodies, J695
(anti-IL12) and CAT-152 (anti-TGFb2). 


Phase I clinical trials for the fully human monoclonal antibody, J695
(anti-IL12) have started.  Developed as part of a collaboration between CAT, 
BASF Pharma and Genetics Institute (a research unit of Wyeth-Ayerst
Laboratories, the pharmaceutical division of American Home Products, NYSE:
AHP), J695 neutralises IL-12, a pro-inflammatory molecule associated with many
severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The clinical trials are being
conducted by BASF Pharma and the Genetics Institute research unit. 

CAT-152, developed by CAT as a treatment to prevent scarring in the eye
following glaucoma surgery, completed initial Phase I/IIa clinical trials
earlier this year. CAT has now received regulatory approval for a Phase II
multicentre clinical trial to start this summer at four leading UK eye
hospitals. It is expected that results of the Phase I/IIa  trial will be
presented at the European Glaucoma Society in September 1999. 

David Glover, CAT's Medical Director, commented:

"This confirms CAT's market leadership in the growing area of using human
monoclonal antibodies as drugs. There are five fully human antibodies
currently in clinical trials and of these, three are antibodies that have been
developed by CAT and its partners."

Notes to editors:

J695

J695 is a fully human monoclonal antibody against IL-12 (Interleukin-12), a
potent pro-inflammatory molecule associated with many severe autoimmune and
inflammatory disorders.

CAT-152

CAT-152 (formerly known as 6B1) is a fully human anti-TGFb2 monoclonal
antibody developed by CAT to specifically neutralise the cytokine TGFb2,
overactivity of which is believed to cause scarring in and around the eye.  
CAT-152 is being developed as a treatment to prevent scarring in the eye
following glaucoma surgery.

Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT)

CAT is a UK biotechnology company using its proprietary technologies in fully
human monoclonal antibodies for drug discovery and drug development.  Based in
Melbourn, 10 miles south of Cambridge, England, CAT currently employs around
150 people.  In March 1997, CAT completed its initial public offering and
listing on the London Stock Exchange, raising approximately #41 million.

CAT has a world-leading platform technology for rapidly isolating fully human
monoclonal antibodies using phage display systems. CAT has an extensive phage
display antibody library, currently incorporating around 100 billion distinct
antibodies. This library forms the basis for the company's strategy to develop
a portfolio of clinical development programmes and for discovering new drug
leads using functional genomics.  The first two antibody products it developed
started clinical trials in 1997, in inflammation and fibrosis.

CAT has a number of license and collaborative agreements in place with
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies including: Eli Lilly, Pfizer, BASF
Pharma, Genentech, ICOS Corporation, Genetics Institute/BASF Pharma and
Wyeth-Ayerst.


BASF Pharma

BASF Pharma is the label used to designate the global corporate pharmaceutical
operations of BASF Aktiengesellschaft with headquarters based at Knoll AG in
Ludwigshafen, Germany. In 1998, BASF Pharma sales amounted to DM4.51 billion,
representing an increase of 10% over the preceding year.  The work-force
numbers more than 13,000.  

Wyeth- Ayerst Laboratories 

Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, a division of American Home Products Corporation
(NYSE:AHP), is a major research-oriented pharmaceutical company with leading
products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular disease
therapies, central nervous system drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, vaccines
and generic pharmaceuticals. 

American Home Products Corporation is one of the world's largest
research-based pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a
leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of
prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. It is also a leader in
vaccines, biotechnology, agricultural products and animal health care.

The statements in this press release that are not in historical facts are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including,
without limitation, risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of
pharmaceutical research, product development and commercialisation, the impact
of competitive products, and patent, and other risks and uncertainties,
including those detailed from time to time in periodic reports, including
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the annual report on Form 10-K, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from the
forward-looking statements. 


END

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