CONTACT:  Hal Smith
                                           1-800-743-6632

                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


       	CISTRON SENDS MERGER PROXIES TO STOCKHOLDERS
        --------------------------------------------

	PARSIPPANY, N.J. - September 22, 2000 -- Cistron Biotchnology,
Inc. (OTC:CIST) announced today that it mailed to stockholders
proxy statements concerning the company's proposed merger with
Celltech Group plc (NYSE:CLL; LSE:CCH).

	A special Cistron stockholders meeting to vote on the merger
will be held November 2 at 10 A.M. at the Marriott Glenpointe in
Teaneck, N.J.  Stockholders of record as of September 12 will be
entitled to vote on the merger by mail, telephone and the Internet
or by attending the special meeting.

	Celltech Group, based in Slough, Berkshire in the UK, is a
major European-based biopharmaceutical company with substantial
operations in the U.S.  The group undertakes drug discovery,
development and international marketing.  Celltech is listed on
both the New York and London Stock Exchanges.

	Cistron, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., was founded in
1984.  It is a biotechnology company that uses recombinant DNA and
immunological techniques to explore certain cytokines and
antibodies that may have therapeutic or diagnostic applications.

                __________________________


	Cistron Biotechnology, Inc. stockholders and security holders
are urged to read the proxy statement regarding the merger
transaction. The proxy statement contains important information
that stockholders and security holders should consider before
making any decision regarding the merger.  The registration
statement, in which the proxy statement is included, has been filed
with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.  Stockholders and security holders may obtain a free
copy of the proxy statement by directing a request to Cistron
Biotechnology, Inc., P.O. Box 2004, Pine Brook, New Jersey 07058:
telephone: (973)575-1700, e-mail: info@cistronbio.com.