Directorate Change

ARK THERAPEUTICS GROUP PLC

DAVID VENABLES APPOINTED AS CEO

London, UK - 5 July 2012: Ark Therapeutics Group plc ("Ark" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Dr David Venables has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 August 2012. Since joining the Board in April of this year, David has focused on the development of Ark's viral development and manufacturing capabilities based in Kuopio, Finland. David has put in place a clear plan to build a sustainable revenue generating business utilising Ark's extensive proprietary science base.

Martyn Williams, who joined the Company in October 1998 as Finance Director and became CEO in mid 2010, will hand over to David and leave the Company on 31 July 2012. Martyn has led a significant transformation over the last two years, which has resulted in the business being considerably re-focused.

Iain Ross, Chairman of Ark commented: "I am delighted that we were able to attract David to Ark earlier in the year and I am confident that under his leadership we will build a world-leading development and viral manufacturing services business. In addition, I want to thank Martyn personally and on behalf of the Board for his contribution and support over the last 2 years, and wish him well in the future."

Martyn Williams, CEO of Ark commented: "Having led the Company through the first stage of its transformation and recruited such an able successor, I know the time is right for me to hand over to David. I wish Iain, David and the first-class team at Ark every success in the future."

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Ark Therapeutics Group plc

Ark Therapeutics Group plc is a leading viral product focused contract development and manufacturing services company with world-class viral research, development and GMP manufacturing operations in Finland and the UK. Ark's business model is to offer product development and GMP manufacturing contract services for viral products, including the areas of viral mediated gene therapy, oncolytic viral vaccines, live and attenuated viral vaccines, viral vectored vaccines and virus like particles. Ark's capabilities span from translational research through preclinical and clinical product development, in addition to process and analytical development, GMP manufacture and sterile filling from pre-clinical through to commercial product supply. These capabilities have been established through the development of Ark's own products through to Marketing Authorisation Application registered with the European Medicines Agency. Following a change in business strategy in 2011, Ark is now building its business through contract development and manufacturing services and is seeking external partners to advance its own product pipeline.

Ark's shares were first listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2004 (AKT.L).

This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" which include all statements other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding the Group's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to the Group's products and services), and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include forward-looking terminology such as the words "targets", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "can", "may", "anticipates", "would", "should", "could" or similar expressions or the negative thereof. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the Group's control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Group's present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Group will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause the Group's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those relating to Ark's funding requirements, regulatory approvals, clinical trials, reliance on third parties, intellectual property, key personnel and other factors. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. As a result of these factors, readers are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statement.