Bentley Pharmaceuticals and the University of New Hampshire Announce Advances in Nanotechnology Research Program.

EXETER, N.H. -- Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: BNT), a technology-based specialty pharmaceutical and drug delivery company with a growing branded and generic product line in Europe, and The University of New Hampshire today announced the discovery and synthesis of a thermodynamically stable, biodegradable Nanocaplet(TM) technology for the delivery of macromolecule therapeutics. Biodegradable nanovesicles, or nanocapsules, have been synthesized that have been demonstrated to encapsulate and deliver insulin, as a model peptide, through the intestinal mucosa, delivering the agent systemically to test animals and successfully reducing glucose levels. Insulin, as are many other peptides, is stability- sensitive yet was delivered intact. This proprietary Nanocaplet technology, which represents a significant advancement in drug delivery technology, was conducted as part of Bentley's four-year sponsored research program with the University of New Hampshire Nanostructured Polymers Research Center.

Dr. Jerome Claverie, research associate professor in materials science at UNH and the principal investigator and co-inventor of the technology, explained: "The invention differs from other published nanoparticle delivery systems in that 1) vesicles are hollow, with sizes that are controllable in the nanoscale range, even below 100 nanometers, 2) the building blocks are comprised of biodegradable segments, 3) the payloads are protected and do not measurably leak out, as is the case with liposomes, and 4) the technology is not drug sensitive, so that potentially a vast range of macromolecules, including oligonucleotides and proteins, can be delivered. The nanocapsules have also been successfully tagged by simple chemistry, indicating that ligands targeted to specific areas can be affixed to the outside of the nanocapsules and delivered parenterally. In theory, this may allow, for example, the blood brain barrier to be crossed and carry large molecules such as antisense RNA or other therapeutic technologies to areas or specific cells of the brain. Nanocaplets may be prepared sterile and/or freeze-dried, and appear to be cost-effective to manufacture."

Bentley has the exclusive commercial rights to develop this technology, which it plans to use to supplement Bentley's capabilities in microgranulation and microencapsulation. A Nanocaplet spheroid has a typical diameter of 100 nanometers; this is about 1/600th of the diameter of a human hair, and therefore invisible to the naked eye or even the light microscope. This small size allows uptake via biochemical pathways unavailable to larger diameter particles. The Nanocaplets have been successfully observed and measured utilizing atomic force microscopy and electron beam microscopic techniques.

Robert Gyurik, Bentley's Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development noted, "In my years in corporate R&D, I have seen many drug delivery technologies, and this technology holds promise to be a fundamental and far reaching drug delivery system. It may prove to be a core enabling technology that can change the way drugs are administered."

UNH President, Ann Weaver Hart commented, "The high degree of success and long-standing working relationship with Bentley, our corporate research sponsor, in building recognition for UNH scientific breakthroughs and advancing medical uses of these novel technologies is outstanding." James Murphy, President and CEO of Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. further emphasized, "This is an exciting breakthrough for Bentley Pharmaceuticals. We are preparing to offer these novel applications to appropriate pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners to exploit this technology for their particular therapeutic areas."

Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on advanced drug delivery technologies and pharmaceutical products. Bentley's proprietary drug technologies enhance or facilitate the absorption of pharmaceutical compounds across various membranes. Bentley also manufactures and markets a growing portfolio of generic and branded pharmaceuticals in Europe for the treatment of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, infectious and neurological diseases through its subsidiaries, Laboratorios Belmac, Laboratorios Davur and Laboratorios Rimafar; and manufactures and markets active pharmaceutical ingredients through its subsidiary, Bentley API.

Copies of Bentley Pharmaceuticals' press releases and other information may be obtained through Bentley's web site at www.bentleypharm.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding the potential of nanocaplet technology. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to risks associated with development and commercialization of our products, the unpredictability of patent protection, technological changes, and other uncertainties detailed in Bentley's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bentley cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this document, and Bentley undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements, except as may be required by law.