Vancouver, BC, Nov. 20, 2000 (Market News Publishing via COMTEX) -- Robert
Rieveley, President of Biotech Holdings ("Biotech") released the Company's
quarterly financial report for the six months ended September 30, 2000.
 
"Our revenues for the second quarter of the 2001 fiscal period were up 73% from
the same period of the previous fiscal year. Sales for the first two quarters of
the current year, totaling over $1.1 million, were equal to 92% of total sales
in the prior year," Mr. Rieveley said.
 
"During each of the past three quarters, sales have grown sharply compared to
the respective year-earlier quarters," Mr. Rieveley added. "In addition," he
noted, "new ventures using innovative distribution should benefit us with both
larger sales volumes and increased margins in the future."
 
"Our filing of the Registration Dossier for DIAB II in Brazil has been awaiting
Phase IV data confirming the drug's efficacy and safety. We are expecting
shortly the completion of analysis of data from over 7,500 patients involved in
these Phase IV studies," the President said.
 
"In addition to Brazil," Mr. Rieveley added, "we are currently in the process of
registering for approval in a number of other countries. Making several
applications at once allows us to efficiently coordinate the provision of any
further information required by different regulators."
 
Mr. Rieveley said that the Company has expanded its discussions on distribution
partnerships for DIAB II and expects to be signing additional agreements in the
near term for both South and Central America as well as for Southern Europe.
 
DIAB II is an insulin-receptor sensitizer, a new class of drugs for controlling
the chronically high blood sugar levels that typify diabetes. DIAB II, in tablet
form, works by improving the patient's ability to utilize insulin, the hormone
that controls blood sugar levels. The Company currently markets DIAB II in China
and has licensees in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Venezuela. Type II
Diabetes affects more than 17 million people in North America, over 20 million
in Latin America and over 150 million worldwide.
 
Biotech Holdings Ltd. is based in Vancouver, British Columbia and has its
laboratory and plant facility in Richmond, B.C. For the complete Quarterly
Report to September 30, 2000, as well as background information and current
stock quotations, please visit Biotech's website at www.biotechLtd.com.
 
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although the Company
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, actual results may differ for reasons that include but are not
limited to political and economic conditions in the countries in which the
Company does or intends to do business, regulatory action, product pricing and
competitive market conditions. These forward-looking statements represent the
Company's best judgement at the date of this release and any changes in
assumptions or external factors could produce significantly different results.
 
 
 Toll Free:  (888) 216-1111   Austin Rand, Biotech Holdings Ltd.
                              8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time
 E-mail:  biotech@direct.ca