Consumer Survey Indicates That IBS Sufferers Are Purchasing Shaman NSF for Relief of IBS Induced Diarrhea.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 30, 2000

Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc (OTCBB:SHPH.OB) today announced updated findings from its series of ongoing customer usage surveys. Based on these updated findings, 79% of respondents who purchased Shaman's anti-diarrheals, NSF and NSF-IB, purchased them for relief of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) related diarrhea or forms of undiagnosed diarrhea potentially related to IBS. The majority of these respondents indicated the product helped relieve their diarrhea.

Shaman believes that any indication of efficacy against IBS related diarrhea is significant due to the size of the IBS market in The United States alone. Health professionals estimate that as many as one in five adults will be affected by IBS at sometime in their lives, and a 1999 landmark survey indicates that as many as 75% of sufferers experience recurrent and episodic diarrhea as a manifestation of the syndrome. New medications targeting the cause of IBS vs. individual symptoms have recently entered the market. Glaxo Wellcome's Lotronex is the first of these products introduced in the U.S. However, the Company voluntarily withdrew the drug recently at the request of the FDA.

Shaman's initial clinical testing focused on traveler's diarrhea endured by millions of travelers each year and a separate form of more severe, chronic diarrhea. Survey results however indicate that the majority of Shaman customers are using NSF and NSF-IB to relieve diarrhea related with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the side effects of cancer treatments, colitis, side effects from various medications, Crohn's disease and from undiagnosed diarrhea.

Shaman's ongoing customer surveys are designed to provide the Company with in market feedback on how consumers are using NSF and NSF-IB, as well as for what type of diarrhea they are using the products. Survey results indicate, based on actual customer usage, that NSF and NSF-IB provide relief from diarrhea caused by a broader variety of stimuli than those tested in Shaman's Phase II and Phase III clinical studies.

Shaman's NSF is a natural dietary supplement for treating recurrent diarrhea. NSF contains a standardized extract from the sap of the Croton lechleri tree of the rainforest, and has been safely used for thousands of years by traditional peoples in rainforest areas. Rigorous clinical studies have confirmed its safety and efficacy for extended use. Based on its mechanism of action, NSF is safe and effective for control of diarrhea without causing constipation. Consumers have reported using NSF safely for more than 12 consecutive months at a time. A yearlong study performed at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center assessed the long-term safety and efficacy of the NSF extract. Published results showed that even in subjects who continued daily use of the active ingredient in NSF for over 30 months, no serious adverse events or significant laboratory changes were attributable to the product.

Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leader in medicinal plant research and commercialization of proprietary dietary supplements. Shaman works collaboratively with indigenous communities to discover, harvest and reforest medicinal plants. The Company also provides cultural educational programs in conjunction with rainforest communities. Shaman has retained Roth Capital Inc., an investment bank that focuses on emerging growth and middle market companies, to provide a broad range of corporate finance, research, syndicate sales and trading services to assist Shaman in exploring strategic business opportunities to drive shareholder value.

This press release contains, among other things, certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to Shaman's ability to advance its development and research programs. Such statements involve a number of risk and uncertainties including the Risk Factors listed in the Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10K and 10K/A for the year ended December 31, 1999. These filings are available upon request at 650/952-7070. Also visit Shaman at http://www.Shaman.com