CATCo Regulatory News (CAT)

15 May 2006 07:03

Cambridge Antibody Tech Group PLC15 May 2006 For immediate release14 May 2006 Cambridge Antibody Technology Group plc ("CAT") Statement regarding press speculation The Directors of CAT have noted today's press speculation. The company confirmsthat it is currently in discussions with AstraZeneca PLC which may or may notlead to an offer for the company. In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, CATconfirms that it has 53,195,485 ordinary shares of 10p each in issue (includingthose represented by American Depositary Shares) ("CAT Shares"). The ISIN reference number for the CAT Shares is GB0001662252 and for theAmerican Depositary Shares of CAT is US1321481079. Each American Depositary Share of CAT represents one CAT Share. Dealing Disclosure Requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the"Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of Cambridge AntibodyTechnology Group plc, all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of thatcompany (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivativereferenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by nolater than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the London business day following the dateof the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date onwhich the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapsesor it otherwise withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If twoor more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whetherformal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" ofCambridge Antibody Technology Group plc, they will be deemed to be a singleperson for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevantsecurities" of Cambridge Antibody Technology Group plc by Cambridge AntibodyTechnology Group plc or by AstraZenca PLC, or by any of their respective"associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on theLondon business day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevantsecurities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities inissue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website atwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. "Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economicexposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price ofsecurities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" byvirtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option inrespect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on thePanel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are requiredto disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel. Additional Information No offer has commenced and this press announcement is neither an offer topurchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities. If an offer iscommenced a tender offer statement and related documents containing importantinformation about the offer would be filed with the U.S. Securities and ExchangeCommission (the "SEC") and investors should read any such tender offer statementand the related documents that would be filed with the SEC before making anyinvestment decisions regarding any such offer. Once filed these documents wouldbe available at no charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange