Cobra Biomanufacturing to Support Development of the University of Rochester's HIV Vaccine Platform

Keele, UK, 25 October 2007, Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc (AIM: CBF), the international manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals, today announces an agreement with the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) to develop a scalable production process for a novel human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine platform utilizing URMC’s herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon vector technology. Under the agreement, Cobra will perform process optimization and scale-up studies to support GMP production of amplicons for clinical supply.

Dr. David Thatcher, CEO of Cobra Biomanufacturing said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by URMC to develop this innovative new approach to the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine.”

Dr. William Bowers, Associate Professor of Neurology at URMC and one of the principals of the amplicon program said: “Our research group considered the qualifications and track records of a significant number of CMOs with experience in producing virus vector-based products. Forging a successful partnership with a highly qualified CMO, such as Cobra Biomanufacturing, is an essential step along the critical path for clinical implementation of the versatile amplicon vector platform.”

- ENDS -

For further information, please contact:

Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 714 181
David Thatcher, Chief Executive Officer

Buchanan Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 207 466 5000
Tim Anderson/Rebecca Skye Dietrich

Northbank Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7268 3240
Gemma Price

Notes to Editors:

About Amplicon Vector Technology:

The HSV-1 amplicon vector is a novel, virus-based, helper virus-free vaccine delivery system. This vector has unique properties that differentiate it from all other vector approaches presently in development, and has been shown to be capable of eliciting strong immune responses against an encoded HIV-1 antigen in preclinical animal studies.

About the University of Rochester Medical Center:

One of the nation’s top academic medical centers, the University of Rochester Medical Center forms the centerpiece of the University’s health research, teaching, patient care, and community outreach missions. With more than $143 million in federal research funding, UR School of Medicine research funding ranks in the top one-quarter of U.S. medical centers, while the School of Nursing ranks 12th highest in funding. The University’s health care delivery network, Strong Health, is anchored by Strong Memorial Hospital - a 739-bed, University-owned teaching hospital - which boasts programs that consistently rank among “America’s Best Hospitals,” according to U.S. News & World Report. As upstate New York’s premier health care delivery network, Strong Health patients benefit from the Medical Center’s robust teaching and biomedical research programs.

About Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc:

Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc is a leading international manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals to the lifescience industry. Founded in 1992, Cobra provides innovative manufacturing solutions to the biopharmaceutical industry covering DNA, virus, cellular therapeutics and recombinant protein products.

Cobra has developed a range of unique, patented technologies, which underpin a successful revenue generating contract manufacturing business. For more information see www.cobrabio.com