BPK Bespak

RNS Number:0857Z
Bespak PLC
27 June 2007


                                   Bespak plc

                                 Exubera Update


Bespak plc (LSE: BPK), a leader in devices for inhaled drug delivery and
anaesthesia, today announces that following the slow take-up of Exubera(R)
inhaled insulin for diabetes, Nektar Therapeutics and Pfizer have revised their
short term forecasts for the inhalation device. As a result Bespak is embarking
on a consultation process with its employees involved in the production of the
Exubera(R) inhaler. This is expected to produce a significant number of
redundancies among the 160 employees engaged in the production of the Exubera(R)
inhaler at Bespak's Milton Keynes facility. The costs of the staff reductions
are recoverable by Bespak under the terms of its contract with Nektar
Therapeutics.

Pfizer has reiterated its belief in the long-term potential of Exubera(R), which
is an important breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes, together with its
plans to accelerate the uptake of Exubera(R) in 2007 and beyond.

In its trading statement issued on 3 May, Bespak anticipated lower production
levels for the Exubera(R) inhaler and referred to uncertainties about sales
volumes for this product over the short- to medium-term. Bespak will, however,
continue to benefit from its cost plus contract with Nektar, and given this and
the favourable outlook for the Company's other products, the Board remains
comfortable with the market consensus for the current financial year, which
began 1 May 2007.

During the consultation process Bespak will remain in detailed discussions with
Nektar on potential strategies to address the short- to medium-term supply
issues.

Mark Throdahl, Bespak's CEO, commented:

"In January Bespak announced a goal to double pre-tax profits over the next five
years. Despite sales of the Exubera(R) device growing slower than originally
anticipated, we remain on track to achieve this goal."

Bespak announces its full year results on 11 July.


For further information, please contact:

Bespak plc
Mark Throdahl, Chief Executive                 Tel: +44 (0) 1908 552600
Jonathan Glenn, Group Finance Director

Maitland
Liz Morley or Brian Hudspith                   Tel: +44 (0) 20 7379 5151


Bespak plc is a leader in medical devices for inhaled drug delivery and
anaesthesia. The Group develops drug delivery systems for the pharmaceutical
industry and airway management products for hospitals and emergency care
settings.

Bespak develops and manufactures metered dose inhaler valves, actuators,
compliance aids, dry powder devices, disposable facemasks, breathing circuits,
and laryngeal tubes. The Group holds the 2005 Frost & Sullivan Award for
Technology Innovation and has facilities in King's Lynn and Milton Keynes in the
UK, Indianapolis, Indiana and Kent, Ohio in the US, and Mumbai, India. Bespak is
a public company quoted on the full list of the London Stock Exchange (LSE:
BPK).




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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