Oxford, UK: 7 September 2005 – Oxford BioMedica (LSE:OXB.L), the leading gene therapy company, today announces that Dr Mike McDonald has joined the Company as Chief Medical Officer. He will have primary responsibility for the Company’s clinical development activities and regulatory affairs.

Mike brings over 20 years of experience in clinical drug development and regulatory leadership. He joins from Seattle Genetics, a US based biotechnology company, where he was Chief Medical Officer.  Mike has spent nine years with Eli Lilly serving as Worldwide Vice President, Clinical Research and Medical Affairs, and was previously at SmithKline Beecham for seven years where he was involved in worldwide clinical development, regulatory management and a member of the pharmaceutical development strategy committee. From these positions Dr McDonald contributed to the successful registration and commercialisation of many important pharmaceuticals. He received his medical degree from Edinburgh University, he is a member of the Royal College of Physicians in London, holds a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Physicians.

Commenting on the appointment, Professor Alan Kingsman, Chief Executive of Oxford BioMedica, said: “We are delighted that Mike McDonald is joining the senior management team. As our lead programmes advance and clinical activity expands, we welcome the considerable experience that he brings.”

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Notes to editors

1. Oxford BioMedica

Oxford BioMedica (LSE: OXB) is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of novel gene-based therapeutics with a focus on the areas of oncology and neurotherapy. The Company was established in 1995 as a spin out from Oxford University, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Oxford BioMedica has core expertise in gene delivery, as well as in-house clinical, regulatory and manufacturing know-how. In oncology, the pipeline includes an immunotherapy and a gene therapy in multiple Phase II trials, and a preclinical targeted antibody therapy in collaboration with Wyeth. In neurotherapy, the Company’s lead product is a gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, which is expected to enter clinical trials in 2006, and four further preclinical candidates. The Company is underpinned by over 80 patent families, which represent one of the broadest patent estates in the field.

The Company has a staff of approximately 65 split between its main facilities in Oxford and its wholly owned subsidiary, BioMedica Inc, in San Diego, California. Oxford BioMedica has corporate collaborations with Wyeth, Intervet, Viragen, MolMed and Kiadis; and has licensed technology to a number of companies including Merck & Co, Biogen Idec and Pfizer.

Further information is available at http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk