Asterand Plc announces Directorate Change


Royston, UK -- (MARKET WIRE) -- March 28, 2007 --

For further information, please contact

Asterand plc
David Lee, Chairman
Tel: +44(0)1763 211600
www.asterand.com

27 March 2007

                                 Asterand plc
                         ("Asterand" or the "Company")

Following the search for a successor to Randal Charlton as Chief Executive
Officer, the Company today announces that Martyn Coombs has been appointed as a
director and Chief Executive Officer of Asterand plc with immediate effect.

Mr. Coombs previously worked for Amersham plc for nine years in various senior
roles. He led logistics globally during Amersham's period of rapid growth and
merger activity in which the company's revenue trebled in size to £1.4 billion.
Subsequently he was based in Japan for five years as President Amersham KK and
concurrently Amersham's only Executive Board Director in Amersham's joint
venture with Sumitomo Chemical (Nihon Medi-Physics Co. Ltd), a $300 million
revenue company. He has also served as President of PerkinElmer Japan, a
subsidiary of PerkinElmer, Inc.

David Lee, Chairman of Asterand plc commented, "We are delighted that Martyn has
agreed to join the company. He has a blend of operational and general management
skills with a track record in business transformation and delivery of improved
operating results. The Asterand board believes that Martyn is well equipped to
lead the business through its next phase of growth as we focus on reaching
sustained profitability and positive cashflow."

                                www.asterand.com


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

END