Ixico Regulatory News (IXI)

2 February 2012

Phytopharm plc

Appointment of Non-Executive Director

Phytopharm plc (PYM: London Stock Exchange) ("Phytopharm" or the "Company") today announces the appointment with immediate effect of Dr Ian Tulloch, former Global Product Marketing Director at Novartis Pharma AG, as a Non-Executive Board Director of Phytopharm. Dr Tulloch will succeed Mr Sandy Morrison, who will step down as a Non-Executive Board Director.

Dr Tulloch has over 30 years' experience in the pharmaceutical industry, encompassing a range of senior roles in both research and development and commercial functions. Dr Tulloch has a strong background in neuroscience and has been closely involved in the commercialisation of innovative products for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, depression, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and pain.

From 2002 to 2010 Dr Tulloch was Global Marketing Director for the Neuroscience and Ophthalmic Business Franchise at Novartis AG. Prior to this he held global medical marketing positions at GlaxoSmithKline/SmithKline Beecham between 1990 and 2002 and was Drug Discovery Programme Director at Reckitt Benckiser from 1978 to 1990. Dr Tulloch has a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology and a PhD in Neuropharmacology, both from the University of Edinburgh.

The appointment of Dr Tulloch is part of the Board's succession planning process. Accordingly, Mr Sandy Morrison will step down from the board following the Company's Annual General Meeting, which will be held before 31 March 2012.

Mr Alistair Taylor, Chairman, commented, "I am delighted to welcome Ian to Phytopharm. His vast commercial expertise, particularly in the field of neuroscience and ophthalmology, will significantly contribute to our business development efforts and strengthen the Board as we move closer to obtaining the results from our clinical study in Parkinson's disease."

"I'd like to thank Sandy for the substantial contribution he has made to Phytopharm as a board member since 2006 and particularly in the period as interim CEO, during which he steadily guided the company through a period of strategic reprioritisation. We wish him well as he pursues new areas of interest."

There are no disclosures to be made under paragraphs 9.6.13R of the Listing Rules in respect of Dr Tulloch.

About Phytopharm

Phytopharm is a development stage pharmaceutical company developing novel treatments targeting diseases with high levels of unmet need. Our lead series of compounds, the sapogenins (including Cogane™ and Myogane™), has the potential to be a new class of therapy for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, ALS and glaucoma.

Phytopharm operates as a virtual company ensuring the majority of our financial resources are focused on our pharmaceutical pipeline. We utilise a network of scientific and clinical experts to help guide our development projects with our experienced pharmaceutical managers overseeing operations.

Our commercially focused development projects have the potential to produce significant treatment advances in our target areas of neurodegeneration and inflammatory disease. Our products are single chemical entities with novel mechanisms of action protected by strong patent families.

Phytopharm is listed on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange. Further information on Phytopharm is available from the Company's website www.phytopharm.com

Forward-looking statements

Certain information included in these statements is forward‑looking and involves risk and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements.

Forward‑looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating to results of operations and financial conditions, market estimates, the Company's plans and objectives for future operations, including future revenues, financial plans and expected expenditures and divestments. All forward‑looking statements in this report are based upon information known to the Company on the date of this announcement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‑looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specific events that could cause the Company's forward‑looking statements to be incorrect or that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operations or results of the Company.