Critical Therapeutics President and CEO Presents at Scientific Conference in Beijing; Paul Rubin, M.D. Addresses the 13th International Eicosanoids Conference.

LEXINGTON, Mass. -- Inflammatory molecules known as leukotrienes, a type of eicosanoid, might play a key role in certain types of severe persistent asthma and other diseases, Critical Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRTX) President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Rubin, M.D. told attendees at a scientific conference in China last week.

Speaking at the 13th International Eicosanoids Conference (IEC) in Beijing, Dr. Rubin said that inhibiting leukotrienes generated by the body's 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway could be an effective strategy to help treat disorders including aspirin- and exercise-induced asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atherosclerosis, acne and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

"The breadth of diseases affected by leukotrienes makes this an area of research with major implications for human health," Dr. Rubin said. "Each year, the IEC represents an opportunity to engage with some of the world's most esteemed scientists and researchers in an exchange of new ideas and a dialogue about the most recent advances in the field. I am honored to have had a chance to take part in this conference."

Leukotrienes are produced when arachidonic acid, an essential fatty acid, is metabolized by the 5-LO pathway. This process is believed to be the reason that leukotrienes are elevated in asthma patients. Currently, the only 5-LO inhibitor approved for the treatment of asthma is Critical Therapeutics' ZYFLO(R) Filmtab(R) (zileuton tablets). Zileuton blocks the entire 5-LO cascade. As a result, Dr. Rubin said, the drug has a far broader pharmacologic profile than leukotriene receptor antagonists which target a single receptor. Critical Therapeutics plans to begin marketing ZYFLO in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2005, contingent upon regulatory approval of its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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) Filmtab(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.

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. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the timing and success of regulatory approvals and product launches and the role that leukotrienes may play in severe persistent asthma and other diseases and the effectiveness of inhibiting leukotrienes as a strategy to help treat certain disorders. These statements 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 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 Quarterly 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.

ZYFLO(R) is a registered trademark of Critical Therapeutics, Inc. Filmtab(R) is a registered trademark of the Abbott Group of Companies.