VIA FACSIMILE AND U.S. MAIL 	September 6, 2005 Derrick A. Nicholson Chief Financial Officer Avecia Group plc. P.O. Box 42, Hexagon House Blackley, Manchester M9 8ZS United Kingdom 	RE:	Form 20-F for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 Filed May 18, 2005 File No. 333-11268 Dear Mr. Nicholson: We have completed our review of your Form 20-F and related filings and have no further comments at this time. If you have any further questions regarding our review of your filings, please direct them to Ernest Greene, Staff Accountant, at (202) 551-3733 or in his absence, to Scott Watkinson, at (202) 551- 3741. 							Sincerely, 							Rufus Decker 	Accounting Branch Chief ?? ?? ?? ?? UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-0510 DIVISION OF CORPORATION FINANCE