CepTor Presents Statistically Significant Proof of Concept Data on Myodur for Muscular Dystrophy at the American Academy of Neurology Meeting.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. -- CepTor Corporation (OTC BB:CEPO), a development-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on cell-targeted therapeutic products for neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases, in a platform presentation delivered at the recent AAN meeting in San Diego, presented proof of concept data for its targeted calpain inhibiting drug, Myodur, in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). In the mdx mouse, an animal model with a genetic defect identical to DMD, the company showed muscle tissue preservation on histopathology and a statistically significant increase in myofiber (muscle fibers) diameter in treated vs non-treated mice. DMD is a fatal muscle wasting disease caused by abnormally high levels of calpain activity. The Company also presented data demonstrating the efficiency of its cell targeted technology through in-vitro studies in human cell lines showing that its calpain inhibitor is 50-100 times more potent when targeted with a carnitine carrier compared to when delivered alone. Importantly, the company also presented information involving the development of a biomarker that can specifically measure excess calpain activity.

Norman Barton, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer said, "Myodur has developed into a very logical molecular medicine story. We have a cause and effect relationship verified in the published literature: excess calpain activity causing muscle necrosis. The inhibitor portion of our compound, leupeptin, has been well established in the literature. We have now demonstrated that we can deliver leupeptin exponentially more efficiently taking advantage of the well-known carnitine transport system. And now, perhaps most importantly, we have a very specific way to measure excess calpain activity; giving us a well defined target in a disease that has historically had none."

"The pieces of the puzzle have come together nicely," stated Bill Pursley, Chairman and CEO of CepTor. "As we continue to push toward the IND, we become increasingly excited about the potential we may have here to treat a very important disease."

(Abstract attached)

About CepTor Corporation

CepTor Corporation is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of proprietary, cell-targeted therapeutic products for the treatment of neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on orphan diseases. CepTor's primary efforts are currently being focused on moving its lead product, Myodur, into Phase I/II clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Company's broad platform technology also includes the development of products for multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. More information about CepTor can be found at www.ceptorcorp.com.

The press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes. Drug discovery and development involves a high degree of risk. Factors that might cause such a material difference include, among others, uncertainties related to the ability to attract and retain partners for our technologies, the identification of lead compounds, the successful preclinical development thereof, the completion of clinical trials, the FDA review process and other government regulation on our ability to successfully develop and commercialize drug candidates, competition from other pharmaceutical companies, product pricing and third party reimbursement. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

Title: Biological Effects of a Potent, Muscle-Targeted, Orally Bioavailable Calpain Inhibitor (C101) for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Authors: Barton NW, Stracher A, Badalamente MA, Carver T, Michele T, DeVos L, Kesner L, Deng A, Wang K, Oli M

Objective: To investigate the biological effects of C101 in muscle cell cultures in vitro and dystrophin deficient mdx mice in vivo. Background: Calpain is a ubiquitous calcium-activated neutral protease. Dystrophin deficiency causes increased sacrolemmal permeability, calcium influx into muscle, calpain activation and initiation of a proteolytic cascade culminating in myonecrosis. C101 is a leupetin analogue to which L-aminocarnitine is covalently bound. It is specifically designed to target muscle via the high affinity OCTN2 carnitine transporter. Methods: The potency of C101 compared with leupeptin was assessed in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells that expressed high levels of OCTN2. Calpain activation was induced by addition of a calcium channel opener (maitotoxin) to cells grown to 80% confluence; 145- and 150-kD calpain-specific breakdown products of aII-spectrin (SBDPs) were monitored over time by quantitative Western Blot analysis. The concentrations of C101 and leupeptin required to produce 50% reductions (IC50) in the levels of SBDPs, which serve as unique biomarkers of calpain activity, were then determined under standard assay conditions. The mdx murine model (Jackson Labs, Bar Harbor, ME) was chosen to assess the inhibitory effects of C101 on myofiber degeneration associated with dystrophin deficiency. Thirty-day old mdx mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of C101 for 60 days at doses of 5 and 10mg/kg; controls received physiologic saline. Selected muscles were harvested after 60 days for histological analysis and measurement of mean myofiber diameter. Results: The IC50 for C101 for prevention of 145-kD SBDP formation was 54-fold less than the value obtained for leupetin (70 vs. 3750 uM); a 130-fold reduction was observed for the 150-kD SBDP (400 vs. 51900 uM). C101 preserved muscle morphology and significantly increased myofiber diameter in mdx mice compared with disease controls. Conclusions: C101 is a potent, oral, muscle-targeted calpain inhibitor that may be effective in treating DMD patients.