2008-04-15 23:48:35 -

- Commonwealth Biotechnologies, Inc. (CBI) (NASDAQ Capital Market:CBTE) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a global strategic alliance with New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd ("NZP") to provide a suite of small molecule chemistry products for the drug discovery and development market. The alliance will focus on providing glycotherapeutic products and services for research through to process scale-up and

commercialization by way of an exclusive referral and co-marketing arrangement. CBI, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Exelgen Ltd, will provide customers with research grade products and services, and NZP will supply customers with identified lead candidates for pre-clinical applications through to cGMP products for clinical and therapeutic applications.

The CBI/NZP co-branded drug development services will be jointly marketed and promoted to the customer bases of both companies and to the broader pharmaceutical and biotechnology market. Dr. Paul D'Sylva said "This alliance follows in the footsteps of the very successful alliance that CBI, through its wholly owned subsidiary Mimotopes Pty Ltd, has with Genzyme Pharmaceuticals in the field of peptide chemistry. Following the acquisition of medicinal and synthetic chemistry contract research provider Exelgen in June 2007, the partnership with NZP will provide a parallel suite of specialty products and services to the rapidly growing and evolving glycotherapeutics area. CBI ultimately aims to provide clients with a seamless link between drug discovery and the clinic for all its major service areas, thus capturing more value down the supply chain and proving the market with a truly vertically integrated product offering."

Dr. Richard Garland, Managing Director of NZP, said "The alliance is about enhancing the product offering of both companies by offering customers a full package of drug discovery, development and production services. This is designed to reduce time to market for our customers and ensure that all stages of their discovery, development and manufacturing programs are supported by the highest quality service providers."

About Commonwealth Biotechnologies, Inc.

CBI offers cutting-edge research and development products and services to the global life sciences industry. CBI now operates through (1) CBI Services, a discovery phase contract research organization; (2) Fairfax Identity Laboratories, a DNA reference business; (3) Mimotopes Pty, Ltd, Melbourne, Australia, a peptide and discovery chemistry business; and (4) Exelgen, Ltd, Bude, UK, a medicinal and synthetic discovery chemistry business. Collectively, CBI companies employ over 100 staff in world-class laboratories. For more information, visit CBI on the web at www.cbi-biotech.com.

About New Zealand Pharmaceutical Ltd

Since 1971, New Zealand Pharmaceuticals (NZP) has been leading the way for the biotechnology industry development in New Zealand. The company manufactures and exports pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients, supported by EDQMs, DMFs and Medicines Licences, to the world's leading pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies. NZP recently expanded its focus to include synthetic small molecule and carbohydrate compounds. It also produces a range of dietary supplements and diagnostics products. For more information, visit NZP on the web at www.nzp.co.nz and for more information on synthesis, visit www.nzpsynthesis.com.

Forward Looking Statement

No statement made in this press release should be interpreted as an offer to purchase any security. Such an offer can only be made in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and applicable state securities laws. Any statements contained in this release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as identified in CBI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undo reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as the date hereof. Specifically, CBI cannot guarantee that the agreement executed with New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd will produce any revenues or new business prospects. CBI undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Commonwealth Biotechnologies, Inc.
Paul D'Sylva, Ph.D.
CEO
858-550-0959 ext 106