Boston Life Sciences' Novel Parkinson's Therapy May Prevent Progression of Parkinson's Disease.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

BOSTON--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 2, 2001

Role of Dopamine Transporter in progression of Parkinson's Disease

described in current issue of the journal Science

Boston Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLSI) announced that the Company's Dopamine Transport (DAT) blockers, currently in late-stage pre-clinical development for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD), may have significant benefit in preventing the progression of PD. This assessment is supported by a research paper published in the current (September 28th) issue of the journal Science entitled "Dendrodendritic inhibition through reversal of dopamine transport" authored by Isabelle Mintz and associates from Boston University Medical Center. The ground-breaking research described in the paper strongly implicates the dopaminergic transporters (DAT) as a major mediator of the brain damage that causes the symptoms of PD. In an interview with Bioworld Today, Dr. Mintz speculates that DAT blockers could be used to "prevent or slow progression of the disease."

In a commentary accompanying the Science article, the prospect for preventing PD by using DAT blockers (such as those under development by BLSI) was raised. The Science article was featured in the "Technology Focus" section of the current (October 1, 2001) issue of the weekly biotechnology trade journal "BioCentury". As discussed in BioCentury, BLSI is one of the few companies actively involved in developing PD therapies based on DAT blockade.

"This important scientific article represents highly credible scientific support for our novel approach to treating PD by blocking the DAT," stated Dr. Marc Lanser, Chief Scientific Officer of BLSI. "While we initially assumed that our DAT blockers would be effective in reducing the symptoms of early PD, we did not have enough evidence to be able to assert that they might also fundamentally change the course of the underlying disease. We now have a concrete, scientific basis for the pursuit of such a claim. We have already demonstrated that these blockers alleviate motor symptoms in primates with PD. Consequently, we now have a high degree of confidence in being able to do that in humans. Now, based on this new information, we expect to design later-stage clinical trials to include the monitoring of the progression of PD in our treated patients to demonstrate the ability of our therapeutic to actually prevent the progression of disease. Our Altropane(TM) radioimaging agent which actually measures the number of DATs, gives us the advantage of being able to closely monitor disease progression in these therapeutic trials. We anticipate filing our IND in early 2002," added Dr. Lanser.

BLSI is developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as treatments for cancer, autoimmune disease, and central nervous system disorders. BLSI's products in development include: Altropane and Fluoratec, radioimaging agents for the diagnosis of PD and ADHD; Troponin, a naturally-occurring anti-angiogenesis factor for the treatment of solid tumors; AF-1 and Inosine, nerve growth factors for the treatment of acute and chronic CNS disorders; novel therapies for the treatment of PD and ADHD; and transcription factors that may control the expression of molecules associated with autoimmune disease and allergies.

Statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact may represent forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding expectations or beliefs as to future results or events, such as the expected timing and results of clinical trials, discussions with regulatory agencies, schedules of IND, NDA and all other regulatory submissions, the timing of product introductions, the possible approval of products, and the market size and possible advantages of the Company's products. All such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may vary materially from these statements. Factors that may affect future results include: the availability and adequacy of financial resources, the ability to obtain intellectual property protection, delays in the regulatory or development processes, results of scientific data from clinical trials, the outcome of discussions with potential partners, regulatory decisions, market acceptance of the Company's products, and other possible risks and uncertainties that have been noted in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.