TED Ted Baker Plc

    Embargoed until 7am 19th May 2004

                                                                  19th May 2004

             Tepnel Life Sciences PLC (`Tepnel' or `the Company')              

                               Trading Statement                               

Tepnel Life Sciences PLC (AIM: TED), the UK-based international life sciences
products and services company, is pleased to provide a trading update for the
first four months of the 2004 financial year, as the Company's overall trading
performance has been ahead of management forecasts, with operating losses
considerably less than expected. The outlook for the rest of the year is that
this will continue to be the case.

The picture across the Company's four divisions is as follows:

Tepnel Life Sciences (TLS) - Revenues for DNA purification services have been
better than expected and considerably in excess of the corresponding period in
2003. However, this growth has been partly offset by a delay in instrument
sales to date this year caused by software related issues. The company is in
advanced discussions with a number of customers for the Nucleoplex BAC and
Nucleopure instruments and is confident of announcing further sales in the near
future. Cost controls have been functioning better than planned resulting in a
smaller loss than budgeted by management and a considerably smaller loss than
for the same period last year.

Tepnel BioSystems (TBS) - In the preliminary results, the Company indicated
that revenue growth for this division would be difficult as the company
focussed efforts and resources on the allergen and toxin markets. This has
proven to be the case. However, this focus on the allergen and toxin markets
has resulted in improved gross margins and operating profits compared to the
prior year period. The board is confident that TBS will remain profitable for
the year as a whole.

Tepnel Scientific Services (TSS) - Trading has been better than forecast in
both microbiology and analytical chemistry service revenues and profits are
ahead of management budgets. This is expected to continue for the remainder of
2004.

Tepnel Lifecodes (TLC): Trading at the newly acquired TLC operation has been
better than expected at the revenue level, but this has been offset by downward
pressure on margins. Integration of the business has proceeded at a faster rate
than anticipated whilst operating losses have been in line with management
budgets. Whilst TLC is expected to be loss making for 2004 as a whole, improved
revenues and margins are expected later in 2004 as the integration programme
brings further benefits.

Ben Matzilevich, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are happy to advise
the market and shareholders that current trading is ahead of management
expectations. Tepnel Life Sciences is following through on its commitment to
profitability and has already reached a stage where the first benefits of the
acquisition of Orchid Diagnostics are apparent. This steady progress in revenue
will continue to be matched with strategic corporate development in order to
further optimise the business for the future."

The Group remains confident about its prospects for the remainder of the year.

Enquiries:

Ben Matzilevich, Chief Executive Officer, Tepnel Life             0161 946 2200
Sciences PLC                                                                   
                                                                               
Gron Ffoulkes-Davies, Finance Director, Tepnel Life               0161 946 2200
Sciences PLC                                                                   
                                                                               
Mark Percy, Seymour Pierce Limited                                0207 107 8000
                                                                               
Yvonne Alexander, De Facto Communications plc                     0207 940 1000



END

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