Alpha Therapeutic Corporation announces development agreement for new inhaled therapy for genetic emphysema

LOS ANGELES

August 1, 2002

Alpha Therapeutic Corporation has signed a collaboration agreement with Profile Therapeutics plc, for the development of an inhaled alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor (alpha-1 PI) product to treat people with emphysema resulting from a genetic deficiency of alpha-1 PI.

Under this agreement, Alpha will develop its alpha-1 PI product as a therapy to be delivered directly to the lung, as an aerosolized solution. Alpha's product will be administered using a customized drug delivery device incorporating
Profile's patented intelligent inhaler technology (Adaptive Aerosol DeliveryT), or AADT, which optimizes the delivery of precise and reproducible doses of drug in response to the individual patient's breathing pattern.

"Alpha is pleased to be working with Profile to develop a unique therapeutic system which will ultimately provide a higher standard of care and quality oflife for people who now must depend on intravenous drug therapy," said Edward A. Colton, Alpha's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Alpha Therapeutic Corporation has a pending application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an intravenous therapy for alpha-1 deficiency. "We look forward to demonstrating our commitment to the alpha-1 community by providing a choice in intravenous therapy. This commitment will continue as we extend additional efforts to develop an inhaled therapy," said David Hirsch,Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Marketing.



ALPHA THERAPEUTIC CORPORATION

Alpha is a leading developer of plasma derived biopharmaceutical products which are sourced, tested and manufactured in the United States. Alpha's product portfolio includes coagulation factors, immune globulin and albumin, which are distributed domestically to hospitals, pharmacies, home care companies and physicians. Internationally, Alpha's products are marketed through a network of subsidiaries, affiliates and local offices in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

The raw material for Alpha's products, human blood plasma, is collected in the United States. The company owns 42 plasma collection centers strategically located across the U.S. and has a central testing laboratory in Memphis, TN, which conducts serological screening tests on all plasma donations. Plasma donations are also screened for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) utilizing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. This testing is conducted by National Genetics Institute (NGI). Alpha was the first company to obtain FDA approval
to utilize PCR testing to screen plasma donations for HIV and HCV.

All of Alpha's plasma derived products are manufactured at its FDA licensed fractionation facility in Los Angeles. Over the last several years, Alpha has made a significant investment in facility upgrades, including capital
improvements and enhanced compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices
(cGMPs).

Alpha is committed to providing high quality, safe and cost effective therapeutics for improved patient care worldwide. Additional company information is available at www.alphather.com .



PROFILE THERAPEUTICS PLC

Profile has a 25-year heritage as a developer and supplier of inhaled drug delivery systems. In 1994, its management acquired the business in order to progress the development of its innovative platform "intelligent inhalation"
technology known as Adaptive Aerosol DeliveryT or AADT. In March 2000, Profile Therapeutics plc completed its IPO on the London Stock Exchange to exploit the opportunities presented by this technology.

Profile Therapeutics plc now comprises three complementary businesses: Profile Respiratory Systems, Profile Pharma and Profile Drug Delivery. Each business has its own focus in the area of drug delivery, but shares a common aim to improve the efficacy and costs of treating chronic patients who represent a significant challenge to current healthcare systems. Additional company information is available at www.profiletherapeutics.com .

Contact Information

For Alpha Therapeutic Corporation: 

Karen L. White, APR (323) 227-7018

For Profile Therapeutics plc: 

Simon Shaw, Chief Operating Officer [Telephone:+44 (870) 770 2000] 

or 

Nicola How (Buchanan Communications) [Telephone: +44 (20) 7466 5000]