Critical Therapeutics Appoints Pharmaceutical Industry Veteran Robert Zeiger as Independent Director.

LEXINGTON, Mass. -- Critical Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRTX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of products for respiratory, inflammatory and critical care diseases, today announced the appointment of Robert H. Zeiger as an independent director of the Company's board of directors.

Zeiger, age 60, served as chief executive officer of Viragen, Inc. (AMEX: VRA), a Plantation, Florida-based biopharmaceutical company, from 1995 to 1998 and as vice chairman of Viragen's board of directors until his retirement in 2002. Before joining Viragen, Zeiger worked for nine years at Glaxo, Inc. of Research Triangle Park, N.C., most recently as general manager of Glaxo Pharmaceuticals. Under his leadership, sales of Glaxo's ulcer drug, Zantac(R), increased significantly and Zantac(R) became the nation's most prescribed pharmaceutical.

In addition to Zantac(R), Zeiger's division was responsible for the launch of Imitrex(R), a treatment for migraine headaches, and Zofran(R), a drug to treat chemotherapy-induced emesis and post-operative nausea. From 1988 to 1991, Zeiger was general manager of Glaxo's Allen & Hansburys division, which was responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular products and oral antibiotics. The division launched several FDA approved products during his tenure, including Ceftin(R), an oral antibiotic.

"Robert Zeiger's appointment reflects our commitment to a strong and independent board that will effectively represent the interests of our stockholders," said Paul Rubin, M.D., Critical Therapeutics' president and chief executive officer. "Bob brings 33 years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology experience to the board, so his industry perspective and insights will be invaluable as we execute our product sales and marketing strategy, beginning with the planned launch of Zyflo(R) (zileuton tablets) for the asthma market in mid-2005."

"I am excited about the opportunity to join Critical Therapeutics as a director," said Zeiger, who becomes the eighth member of the board. "This is a dynamic young company anchored by a broad pipeline of candidates and an FDA approved product. I look forward to working with the other members of the board and the management team as we strive to continually build on our success."

About Critical Therapeutics

Critical Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of products for respiratory, inflammatory and critical care diseases. The Company is developing a sales and marketing infrastructure in connection with its in-licensed product, Zyflo(R), a tablet formulation of zileuton. Critical Therapeutics also is developing treatments directed toward the severe inflammatory response in acute diseases and conditions that lead to admission to the emergency room or intensive care unit, and acute exacerbations of other chronic diseases that frequently lead to hospitalization. For more information, please visit www.criticaltherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, which include statements with respect to the progress and timing of our drug development programs and related trials and the efficacy of our drug candidates, are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of various important factors, including risks relating to: the results of preclinical studies and clinical trials with respect to our products under development and whether such results will be indicative of results obtained in later clinical trials; the timing and success of submission, acceptance and approval of our regulatory filings; our heavy dependence on the commercial success of Zyflo(R) tablets and the controlled-release formulation of zileuton; our ability to obtain the substantial additional funding required to conduct our research, development and commercialization activities; our dependence on our strategic collaboration with MedImmune, Inc.; and our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for drug candidates and our discoveries. These and other risks are described in greater detail in the "Factors That May Affect Future Results" section of our most recent Report on Form 10-Q and other filings that we periodically file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these factors materialize, or if any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect our beliefs and expectations as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements publicly at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.