Signs new 10 year Agreement

RNS Number:8140W
Provalis PLC
8 January 2001


For Immediate Release                                          8th January 2001





                                 Provalis plc



    Provalis signs 10 Year Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Dimethaid
           Research Inc. to Market Pennsaid Topical Solution in UK




Provalis plc (LSE.PRO,NASDAQ.PVLS), through its Healthcare Division, announced
today that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Dimethaid
Research Inc. (Toronto, Canada) to market PENNSAID(R) Topical Solution in the UK
for a minimum of 10 years, and has also been granted a first right of refusal
for Ireland. Pennsaid, which is used for the treatment of the symptoms of
osteoarthritis, recently received final marketing approval from the UK Medicines
Control Agency and is a novel, proprietary formulation of the well-established
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac.  Under the terms of
the agreement Provalis has paid Dimethaid an upfront fee to secure exclusive
distribution rights for Pennsaid, which will be manufactured by Dimethaid at its
approved manufacturing facility at Varennes, Quebec.

Commenting on the agreement Mark Keeling, MD of Provalis Healthcare said, " We
are delighted to introduce Pennsaid to the UK market.  There are approximately
seven million osteoarthritis sufferers in the UK, and we are very pleased to be
able to offer them a safe and effective alternative to currently marketed
NSAIDs". He added, "This is a significant opportunity for our Company. The
addition of Pennsaid to our product portfolio will allow the Healthcare Division
to expand further its regionally managed sales force to 42, so giving full UK
commercial coverage, and will accelerate the building of our product and
marketing organisation for the UK and Ireland market."

Phil Gould, CEO of Provalis plc commenting on the announcement said, "At our
recent fund raising we committed to acquire new products for our Healthcare
Division in order to accelerate its growth. This acquisition will grow the
income from our Healthcare Division and assist in supporting an expanded Medical
Diagnostic and Therapeutic R&D effort.  The addition of Pennsaid to our product
range begins to meet our commitment in this area and will help secure the
strategic growth of Provalis. We will continue to look for further similar
opportunities."

On signing the agreement, Ms Rebecca Keeler, CEO and President of Dimethaid
Research Inc. said, " We are delighted that Provalis Healthcare, with its
dedicated sales professionals, will market this product in the UK. This is the
first commercial launch for Pennsaid.   She added, "Although there are a number
of topical NSAIDs approved in the UK, they are generally not well regarded as
they lack strong efficacy data. In contrast, PENNSAID(R) has demonstrated
efficacy using the same international standards used to establish the efficacy
of oral NSAIDs, including the new COX-2 selective NSAIDs.

                                   - END -


             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:-


Dr Phil Gould, Provalis plc,                                   Tel:01244 833463
Mr Lee Greenbury, Provalis plc,                                Tel:01244 833402
Lisa Baderoon, Buchanan Communications,                       Tel:020 7466 5000



Notes to Editors



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



The three divisions are:-



Healthcare - This division sells and markets branded, third party,
prescription medicines in the UK to GPs and hospitals through its own
regionally managed sales force.  This division sells products in the areas of
gastroenterology, osteoporosis, migraine and dermatology.



Medical Diagnostics - This division develops and sells medical diagnostic
products to world markets through distributors.  The division has an
established business in diagnostic products for infectious diseases and has
recently launched the innovative products GlycosalTM and OsteosalTM in the
areas of diabetes and osteoporosis respectively.



Therapeutic Research & Development - This division develops a range of vaccine
candidates for infectious diseases through a network of research
collaborators.







Pennsaid Topical Solution

Pennsaid Topical solution is a 1.5% diclofenac in a patented carrier solution.
  It uses Dimethaid's proprietary drug delivery technology utilising the
cell's tubule system to deliver drugs cell to cell.  As a result, patients are
able to treat localised conditions, such as osteoarthritis, while limiting the
body's absorption of, and associated risks from, the medication.







Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common
type of arthritis. It is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage that
normally cushions and protects joints from impact. As the cartilage erodes,
many people may experience considerable pain and loss of function.



Current recommendations for the treatment of osteoarthritis are focused on the
relief of symptoms and improvement in quality of life. Oral NSAIDs, although
effective, cause serious side effects. It is estimated that every year in the
UK, the use of NSAIDs results in approximately 2,000 deaths and 12,000
hospitalisations from stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal (GI) problems. In
addition, NSAID users are twice as likely to suffer from renal (kidney)
failure and approximately 300 deaths and 30,000 hospital admissions from
congestive heart failure are potentially linked to NSAID use.



Dimethaid Research Inc.

Dimethaid Research Inc. is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the development
and commercialization of innovative therapeutic products that offer the
potential to minimize the unwanted systemic effects of drug therapy on the
body. Dimethaid's proprietary drug delivery technology utilizes the cell's
tubule system to deliver drugs cell-to-cell. As a result, patients are able to
treat localized conditions, such as osteoarthritis, while limiting the body's
absorption of, and associated risks from, the medication. This technology has
been applied first to produce PENNSAID(R) Lotion. The Company's business
development strategy is to leverage its proprietary transdermal delivery
technology into additional commercial products. For additional information on
the Company, please visit www.dimethaid.com.
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