Former Celltech Research Head Joins Cyclacel As R&D Director

DUNDEE - 31 January 2001 - Cyclacel Limited, the UK-based cancer therapeutics company, today announced the appointment of Dr Robert Jackson PhD as Executive Director, Research & Development. Dr Jackson was also elected to Cyclacel's Board of Directors. At Cyclacel he will oversee all aspects of the Company's research and development activities at its Dundee and Cambridge laboratories. Cyclacel also announced the appointment of Dr Howard Marriage as Executive Director, Business Development.

Until six months ago Dr Jackson (57) was Research and Development Director and a member of the Board of Directors at Celltech Group plc, Europe's largest biotechnology company. He was previously Executive Director, Research and Development and Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Chiroscience Group plc, which was acquired by Celltech in 1999. Prior to these appointments, Dr Jackson was Vice President, Research and Development at Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and headed cancer research at Du Pont Pharmaceuticals and Warner-Lambert Company. During his distinguished career he has been instrumental in the discovery and development of several marketed drugs used to treat cancer and other serious diseases.

Spiro Rombotis, Cyclacel's Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted that Bob Jackson has decided to join Cyclacel and spearhead our R&D team into the Company's next phase of growth. Bob's expertise matches remarkably well with Cyclacel's programmes in cancer drug discovery, especially in rational drug design and genes-to-drugs research, and the interface between R&D and clinical trials. Bob takes over from Howard Marriage who has done an outstanding job in managing the Company's research operations during our first three years. Howard will now concentrate his efforts on Cyclacel's commercial activities and the further development of our business."

Professor Sir David Lane, Cyclacel's Chief Scientific Officer said: "Bob brings to Cyclacel world-class experience in the research and development of drugs for cancer and other serious diseases. We have worked with him as a member of our Scientific Advisory Board for over a year and his knowledge has already proven to be very valuable as Cyclacel programmes are progressing into preclinical development and eventually clinical trials."

Dr Robert Jackson said: "Despite the impressive growth of knowledge of the molecular basis of cancer, improved treatment of human disease has not yet been widely realised, although many believe that this will happen over the next few years. Cyclacel is well placed to contribute to the next generation of anticancer drugs, thanks to its strong scientific team, its intellectual property position and to the ongoing relationship with the laboratory of Sir David Lane and those of its other collaborators. I am very happy to have the opportunity to contribute to the next phase of Cyclacel's growth."