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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of October 2000.
PROTHERICS PLC
(Translation of Registrant's Name Into English)
BEECHFIELD HOUSE
LYME GREEN BUSINESS PARK
MACCLESFIELD CHESHIRE SK11 0JL
ENGLAND
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.)
Yes [ ] No [X]
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b)): 82-_________________.
Attached to the Registrant's Form 6-K for the month of October 2000 and
incorporated by reference herein is the Registrant's announcement as reported to
the Company Announcements Office of the London Stock Exchange on October 4,
2000.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
PROTHERICS PLC
Date: October 6, 2000 By: /s/ Andrew J. Heath
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Andrew J. Heath, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
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[PROTHERICS LOGO]
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4 OCTOBER 2000
CROFAB(TM) RATTLESNAKE ANTIVENOM RECEIVES FDA APPROVAL
DIVESTMENT OF CAMD TECHNOLOGY
Protherics PLC announced today that its rattlesnake antivenin (antivenom),
CroFab(TM), formerly known as CroTAb, has been granted approval for marketing by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This successful outcome to the
regulatory review process is the first major market approval for a Protherics
product. CroFab(TM) will be distributed by US based Altana Inc.
CroFab(TM) is the first new product marketed for North American rattlesnake
treatment for more than 50 years. With this approval Protherics can now
capitalise on a market opportunity estimated to be worth in excess of $40
million per year.
Chief Executive, Andrew Heath commented:
"This, our first FDA approval, is a major achievement which transforms the basis
of our business. With our second product approval (for the treatment of digoxin
overdose) anticipated in the summer of 2001, we are now beginning to see a
promising return on our investment in immunotechnology."
CroFab(TM) consists of specific antibody fragments that bind to toxic substances
in the venom of most rattlesnakes. Early administration of CroFab(TM) following
a bite has been shown to rapidly control harmful effects.
The FDA has at the same time approved the Establishment License Application for
the manufacturing of CroFab(TM) at Protherics' state of the art manufacturing
facility in Blaenwaun, Wales. This facility currently produces ViperaTAb(R), a
European viper antivenin, and will be used to manufacture other Protherics
products as regulatory approvals are achieved.
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In order to focus on its immunotherapeutics business, including CroFAb and the
clinical development of the Angiotensin Vaccine for the treatment of high blood
pressure, Protherics intends to divest the computer aided molecular design
(CAMD) technology business.
CAMD is a leading edge drug discovery technology which is now generating
significant interest. A major collaborative deal with Eli Lilly & Co. to develop
anti-thrombotic drugs was followed by the successful demonstration of the
DockCrunch virtual screening capability, which resulted in new drug leads being
identified. A new business providing virtual screening and compound library
design services to the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and biotechnology sectors
has been established.
Andrew Heath commented:
"Our CAMD business has also made strong progress this past year. Therefore, the
time is now right for us to separate these two parts of our business, to provide
an optimal environment for each to grow."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Heath Telephone: 07768 256595
Protherics PLC 001 212 661 2070
(12.00 to 1.00 p.m)
Barry Riley Telephone: 01625 500555
Protherics PLC
WILLIAM CLUTTERBUCK TELEPHONE: 020 7379 5151
Simone Cheetham
THE MAITLAND CONSULTANCY
PROTHERICS PLC
Protherics PLC was formed on 15 September 1999 from the merger of Proteus
International plc and Therapeutic Antibodies Inc. Protherics, an international
biopharmaceutical company, has two platform technologies, the development and
production of immunotherapeutics and computer-aided molecular design.
The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the Official List of the UK Listing
Authority and are traded on the London Stock Exchange.
Further information on the Company and its DockCrunch project is available
at: http://www.protherics.com.
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This release, and oral statements made from time to time by Company
representatives concerning the subject matter hereof, may contain so-called
`forward looking statements.' These statements can be identified by introductory
words such as `expects,' `plans,' `will,' `estimates,' `forecasts,' `projects,'
or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to
historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements frequently are used in
discussing the Company's growth strategy, operating and financial goals, plans
relating to regulatory submissions and approvals and development programs. Many
factors may cause actual results to differ from the Company's forward-looking
statements, including inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of risks and
uncertainties, some of which are known and others of which are not. Those and
other risks are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, copies of which are available from the SEC or may be
obtained upon request from the Company. No forward-looking statement is a
guarantee of future results or events, and one should avoid placing undue
reliance on such statements.
