XEN-D0101 Enters Clinical Development for Atrial Fibrillation

CAMBRIDGE, UK, 9th October 2006 - XENTION LTD, an emerging pharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of ion channel-modulating drugs, announced today that it has initiated Phase I clinical development of XEN-D0101, its internally developed potassium channel modulator for the prevention of atrial fibrillation.

The Company recently received approval of its clinical trial application by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

“Initiating the clinical development of XEN-D0101 represents a significant advance for us,” commented Tim Brears, Xention’s Chief Executive. “This compound has been developed from a substantial medicinal chemistry programme that has utilized electrophysiological data to ensure appropriate selectivity and functional properties of our lead compounds. XEN-D0101 has been shown to have excellent activity in in vivo and ex vivo models and is highly atrium-selective. It thus has an ideal profile for clinical development in the prevention of atrial fibrillation.”

Atrial fibrillation is a commonly encountered but potentially serious cardiac arrhythmia in which the atria of the heart contract in an irregular and accelerated manner, resulting in reduced cardiac output and increased risk of stroke. Approximately 8 million people in the major pharmaceutical economies show symptoms of this condition and many more are believed to be asymptomatic, but at similar risk.

Separately, the Company announced that it has changed its name to “Xention Limited”.

For further information, please contact:

Xention Limited

Tim Brears

Chief Executive

Tel: 01223 493900

Fax: 01223 493901

E-Mail: tim.brears@xention.com

WWW: www.xention.com

Northbank Communications

Eva Levin, Gemma Bradley

Tel: 020 3008 7550

Email: e.levin@northbankcommunications.com / g.bradley@northbankcommunications.com

WWW: www.northbankcommunications.com

About Xention:

Xention Ltd is a drug discovery company that utilizes proprietary technologies to accelerate the development of novel ion channel drugs. The Company uses true electrophysiological data and ion channel chemoinformatics to support medicinal chemistry and allow the development of drugs that are potent and selective and have preferred functional properties. Xention, which was founded in 2002, is a leader in ion channel drug discovery, and has a number of programs across various disease areas.