Hitchin, UK, 31st March 2006 York Pharma, the AIM-listed (AIM:YRK) strategic acquirer, developer and marketer of pharmaceutical products in the field of dermatology, announces that effective 1^st October 2006 Ian Harvey will become the Company’s full-time Finance Director.

Ian Harvey, 54, joined the Group as part-time Finance Director in March 2004.  Ian qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Thomson McLintock & Co in 1973 and went on to become a Partner at BDO Stoy Hayward, where he worked for 17 years.  Since leaving BDO he has held a number of finance director positions in both private and public companies. Effective 1st October 2006, he will cease all part-time activities and become full-time finance director of York Pharma Plc.

Max Dyer Bartlett, Chairman of York Pharma, said “I am delighted Ian has agreed to join York Pharma as our full-time Finance Director. His knowledge and experience have been invaluable in our formative phase of development and his planning for our future growth has been impressive. His commitment to York Pharma has always been greatly appreciated and having his full time and committed focus will be a great boost for the business and the team”

Ian Harvey said, “I have seen York Pharma develop from its embryonic form at flotation in April 2004, to an international business which plans to launch its lead product in its first market before the end of 2006. We have in place the financial systems to cope with our future planned growth and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the board to build a world class dermatology business”

Ian Harvey has purchased 12,000 York Pharma Plc ordinary Shares at 82p, taking his beneficial holding in the Company to 52,000 shares (0.23%). The remuneration committee have approved the grant of share options to subscribe for 20,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company taking the total number of options held to 100,000. The options are exercisable at 79p per share up to the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.

In addition, Terry Sadler, CEO has purchased 10,000 York Pharma Plc ordinary Shares at 82p per share, taking his beneficial holding in the Company to 2,110,000 shares (9.3%).

Lothar Nau, COO has purchased 10,000 York Pharma Plc ordinary Shares at 82p per share, taking his beneficial holding in the Company to 10,000 shares (0.04%).

Michael Garrison, Commercial Director has purchased 10,000 York Pharma Plc ordinary Shares at 82p per share, taking his beneficial holding in the Company to 20,000 shares (0.09%).

Norman Freedman, Non-executive director has purchased 6,000 York Pharma Plc ordinary Shares at 82p per share, taking his beneficial holding in the Company to 31,200 shares (0.14%).

Dr. Allan Salem, Non-executive director, has purchased 5,000 York Pharma Plc ordinary Shares at 82p per share, taking his beneficial holding in the Company to 5,000 shares (0.02%).

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For more information please contact:

York Pharma plc	Tel: +44 (0) 870 066 4453
Terry Sadler, Chief Executive Officer

 

Northbank Communications	Tel: +44 (0) 207 886 8150
Emma Palmer (financial enquiries) Rowan Minnion (media enquiries)

Notes to editors:

About York Pharma plc

York Pharma is an AIM-listed strategic acquirer, developer and marketer of pharmaceutical products in the field of dermatology. Its portfolio now embraces skin diseases that make up more than 75% of the global $10.4bn dermatology market, and its lead product, Abasol™ for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin, has been filed for European marketing approval, whilst its psoriasis (Vampex™) and eczema and dermatitis (Sabarep™) products have progressed to Phase II clinical development. For further information, please go to www.yorkpharma.com