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RNS Number:8262P
Provalis PLC
23 August 2000



             APPROVAL OF GLYCOSAL IN THE USA
                  AND COMMERCIAL UPDATE
                            
Provalis Diagnostics, the medical diagnostics division of
Provalis plc, has today received 510K regulatory approval
for  its  innovative  'point of care' diabetes-monitoring
product,  Glycosal  in  the USA.   The  product  measures
glycated  haemoglobin in a single 4 minute  test  carried
out  in  the  doctor's  office.   Glycosal  measures  the
diabetic's  average level of glucose over the last  three
months  by measuring a specific fraction of the  patients
haemoglobin  called HbA1c.  The product is used  to  help
monitor  the severity of, and the effectiveness of  long-
term therapy for, diabetes.

The product is approved for use by doctors and healthcare
professionals and the Company will immediately apply  for
CLIA waiver, which would allow its use by a broader range
of healthcare support staff.

The product will be sold through our distributors Bio-Rad
Laboratories  Inc as the Micromat II and Drew  Scientific
Group  plc  and  its  distributors as the  DS1  Glycomat.
Stock  build  and  an  increase in  tooling  capacity  to
support this launch are already underway.

Provalis  has  already launched the  product  in  the  UK
through an association with Mediserve Ltd and the product
is  currently  available in over 20  markets  in  Europe,
South  American  and  the  Far  East  through  our   main
distributors.  A registration is in preparation for Japan
where   the   product  will  be  sold   through   Bio-Rad
Laboratories and a domestic Japanese distributor.

John Curtis, Managing Director of Provalis Diagnostics
commenting on the approval said, 'Provalis Diagnostics is
justifiably proud to achieve regulatory approval of
Glycosal in the USA market.  Our distribution partners,
Bio-Rad and Drew, can now begin selling the product in
the world's largest single healthcare market.  Glycosal
now has strong marketing partners and global regulatory
approval excluding Japan.  It provides user simplicity
and a price profile to make it a significant world
product, both commercially and for the assistance it can
bring to those suffering from diabetes. By using this
simple test the doctor now knows how well the patient's
diabetes is being controlled and also is aware that every
1% reduction in HbA1c level reduces the long term side
effects due to the disease by 25%.'

The  market  response  to  Glycosal  has  been  extremely
encouraging; we already have orders to place greater than
1000  Glycosal  instruments in the field,  excluding  the
USA,  by  December 2000 and the supply of tests  is  also
underway.

Phil Gould, Chief Executive of Provalis added, ' This  is
excellent  news for the Company and Glycosal is  now  our
second 'point of care' diagnostic on the US market.  With
the  approval  and launch of Glycosal in  the  USA,  it's
European  Reference Laboratory Certification  to  support
sales  and  with strong global distribution partners,  we
are  well placed to have a significant revenue generating
medical diagnostic product on world markets.

We  have  met  another  important commitment  within  the
progress of our plan to build a successful and profitable
integrated  healthcare Company.  With the expected  sales
of  Glycosal  this will support the growing  revenue  and
profit base of the Company.'

Provalis' Internet Website ; http://www.provalis.com

'Safe  Harbor' Statement under the US Private  Securities
Litigation  Reform  Act of 1995:   Some  or  all  of  the
statements in this document that relate to future  plans,
expectations,  events,  performances  and  the  like  are
forward  looking statements as defined in the US  Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results
of events could differ materially from those described in
the  forward  looking  statements due  to  a  variety  of
factors,  including  those set forth  in  Provalis  plc's
filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information:-

John  Curtis,   Managing Director,  Provalis  Diagnostics
Ltd, Tel: 01244 833542

Dr  Phil  Gould, Chief Executive Officer,  Provalis  plc,
Tel:  01244 833463

Lisa  Baderoon, Buchanan Communications, 
Tel:  020 7466 5000

Notes to Editors

Provalis  PLC (LSE.PRO and NASDAQ.PVLS) is an  integrated
healthcare company with three separate divisions  focused
on  the  supply  and sale of prescription medicines,  the
development  and global sale of medical diagnostics,  and
the  development  of new therapeutic  products,  such  as
vaccines to combat infectious diseases.

The three divisions are:-

Healthcare - This Division carries on  the  supply,
sale   and   marketing  of  branded,  third   party,
prescription  medicines  in  the  UK  to  GP's   and
Hospitals  through its own regionally managed  sales
force.   Its current product range includes products
for  use  in  the medical areas of gastroenterology,
osteoporosis, migraine and dermatology.
     
Medical Diagnostics - This Division carries  on  the
development and sale of medical diagnostic  products
for  sale  to  global markets through  a  number  of
distributors.   The  Division has recently  launched
the  innovative  diagnostic products  Glycosal(TM)  and
Osteosal(TM), in the areas of diabetes and osteoporosis
respectively,  and  has  a  worldwide  franchise  in
medical diagnostic products for infectious diseases.
     
Therapeutic  Research & Development - This  Division
carries   on  the  development  of  new  therapeutic
products,    including   vaccine   candidates    for
infectious diseases.  A number of vaccine candidates
are at the pre-clinical stage.

Glycosal(TM)

Glycosal brings to the "point-of-care" the most widely
used laboratory test in diabetes management offering the
prospect of lower cost, more immediate assessment of
control and adjustment of therapy.  The key facts are:

*  Glycosal will immediately compete in the current
   100,000,000 laboratory test market for HbA1c by bringing
   the test to the 'point of care'.
*  Simple four minute test for glycated haemoglobin
*  For use by diabetic clinics, G.P.s and nurses at the
   'point-of-care'
*  Glycosal(TM) is certified by the European Reference
   Laboratory
*  Current global clinical laboratory market for
   glycated haemoglobin approximately US$800 million
*  Tighter control of diabetes is associated with the
   reduction of risk of debilitating long term complications
*  Diabetic complications include blindness,
   amputation, cardio vascular disease and increased risk of
   stroke
*  These complications reduce the average life
   expectancy of the diabetic by 15 years. Each 1% reduction
   in HbA1c level reduces this risk by 25%.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. (www.bio-rad.com) is a
multinational manufacturer and distributor of life
science research products, clinical diagnostics and
analytical instrumentation with a network of 25 wholly
owned subsidiaries serving over 70 countries. The company
is based in Hercules California and employs over 2500
people worldwide. In October 1999 Bio-Rad acquired
Pasteur Sanofi Diagnostics whose sales in 1998 were
approximately $210 million. Bio-Rad's sales in the year
ending Dec. 31st 1999 were $549.5 million. Sales for the
combined company are estimated to be $722 million per
annum.

Drew Scientific Group plc

Drew Scientific Group plc (www.drew-scientific.com)
designs and manufactures analytical instrumentation and
related consumables based on micro-column liquid
chromatography.  The company has its headquarters and
manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom and sells
its products throughout the world.

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