Catalytica announces Appointment of James Friederichsen and Ronald Hartgerink to Key Management Roles.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 7, 1999--

Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Catalytica, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTAL), announced today that it has named James Friederichsen, former president and COO of Wyckoff Chemical Company, to the position of executive vice president, Chemical Manufacturing Operations and Ronald Hartgerink, former chairman and CEO of Wyckoff, to the position of senior vice president of Chemical Research and Development of Catalytica Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Gabriel Cipau, president and CEO of Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, stated, "We are delighted to expand not only our chemical facilities through our recent acquisition of Wyckoff, but to gain operational strength through the breadth of experience and talents of the Wyckoff management team. In particular, we are pleased that both Ron Hartgerink and Jim Friederichsen have agreed to play an expanded role in our chemical manufacturing operations."

James B. Friederichsen, as Catalytica Pharmaceuticals' executive vice president, Chemical Manufacturing Operations, will report directly to Dr. Cipau and manage all aspects of Catalytica's chemical operations, including sales, marketing, research and development, and its three chemical manufacturing operations in South Haven, Michigan; Greenville, North Carolina; and East Palo Alto, California. Mr. Friederichsen has served as a director of Wyckoff since January 1997 and as president and chief operating officer of Wyckoff since December 1998. Before joining Wyckoff, Mr. Friederichsen was group vice president of the specialty chemicals group of Ferro Corporation from 1994 to 1998. In that position, Mr. Friederichsen was responsible for the global profit and strategic growth of the $330 million business. Mr. Friederichsen holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. in finance from Louisiana State University.

As senior vice president of Chemical Research and Development, Dr. Ronald L. Hartgerink will oversee all chemical research and development efforts at both Wyckoff and Catalytica Pharmaceuticals. In addition, Dr. Hartgerink will act as general manager for Wyckoff operations in South Haven, Michigan. Dr. Hartgerink has served as chief executive officer since 1990 and was president of Wyckoff from 1990 to December 1998. He also served as director of Wyckoff since February 1989 and as chairman of the board since April 1999. Before joining Wyckoff, Dr. Hartgerink held leadership positions for 20 years with various research and development laboratories of Exxon Corp. Dr. Hartgerink holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.S. in chemistry from Hope College, Holland, Michigan.

Catalytica completed the purchase of privately held Wyckoff Chemical Company on September 20, 1999, in a stock-for-stock transaction using the pooling of interest method of accounting. Shareholders of Wyckoff received an aggregate of 4,496,487 shares of Catalytica, Inc. The new Wyckoff subsidiary, now known as Wyckoff, Inc., a division of Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., adds significant chemical manufacturing capacity and also brings chemical process development and pilot plant capabilities that will complement the current operations of Catalytica Pharmaceuticals.

Catalytica, Inc., through its four subsidiaries, applies its proprietary technologies to improve manufacturing and solve environmental problems. Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Wyckoff, Inc., a division of Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, provide drug development and manufacturing products and services to the pharmaceutical industry; Catalytica Combustion Systems, Inc., produces XONON, a catalytic product that permits essentially pollution free combustion for the energy market; and Catalytica Advanced Technologies, Inc., serves as the incubator for new catalytic technologies for industrial applications. Catalytica employs approximately 1400 people and had 1998 revenues of $375 million. Find Catalytica on the World Wide Web at www.catalytica-inc.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the current and future operations at Catalytica's Greenville facility and Wyckoff's facility including but not limited to statements related to expansion of capabilities and market position. Actual results may differ from these statements and such differences may be material. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability to integrate and operate the manufacturing and development facilities of Wyckoff efficiently and achieve operating synergies. Additional risks include the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to operate cost effectively and in a timely manner, the possibility of product development delays, changes in the Company's competitive position, and the impact of FDA, EPA, and other regulations on pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing and on the Company's Combustion Systems business. Catalytica undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this release. Investors are encouraged to review Catalytica's Form 10K for the year ending December 31, 1999, Form 10Qs for the quarters ending March 31, 1999, and June 30, 1999, and Form S4A dated August 24, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for discussion of additional factors that could affect Catalytica's future performance.