new ceo peter cook, page-2

Biota appoints new CEO
Melbourne, Australia—2nd December 2005.

Biota Holdings Limited (ASX: BTA) announced today the appointment of Mr. Peter Cook as CEO and ManagingDirector.

Mr. Cook was previously CEO of Orbital Corporation Limited, prior to which he was CEO of Hospital
Pharmaceuticals for F.H Faulding & Co. Limited. Mr. Cook has also held senior global management positions with Ansell Australia, most recently as President, Protective Products, and was a Board member of Ansell International from 1991 to 1999.

Announcing the appointment, Biota’s Chairman, Mr John Grant commented, “Peter Cook is an experienced
Chief Executive with a proven track record in building profitable, innovation-based businesses, both locally and internationally.”

“Peter joins us at a very exciting and important phase in Biota’s development. We are seeing renewed
interest in Biota’s ground breaking influenza anti-viral drug, Relenza, following worldwide concerns about
Avian flu and consequent Government stockpiling of antivirals. In addition, Biota is steadily progressing its
product pipeline and expects to commence human clinical trials for three respiratory antiviral drugs over the next twelve months to two years. Biota will be actively seeking licensing partnership opportunities as these clinical trials achieve appropriate milestones.

Peter Cook has the necessary leadership, strategic and commercial experience and capability to realise the
value of our world-class discoveries. He has an impressive record in profitably commercialising new
technology and building collaborative relationships with large international companies”, Mr. Grant said.

Mr. Cook replaces Biota’s outgoing US-based CEO Peter Molloy who advised the company in late August that he was unavailable to fill the Australian based role following the consolidation of the group’s operations in Australia.

Mr. Cook will commence with the company on 5 December 2005, and will be based at Biota’s new corporate office at Notting Hill in Melbourne, Victoria.