Cypros Pharmaceutical Receives Notice of Patent Allowance on use of Cordox as a Cardioprotective Positive Inotrope in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Patients.

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 1999--Cypros Pharmaceutical Corp. (AMEX:CYP) announced today that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on its patent application covering the use of Cordox(TM) as a therapeutic agent in coronary artery bypass surgery patients.

The patent covers the therapeutic use of Cordox(TM) as a cardioprotective positive inotrope in these patients to improve the heart's ability to pump blood.

Existing inotropic drugs can over-stimulate the heart and deplete its energy stores, further damaging heart muscle. Existing evidence indicates that Cordox(TM) has a novel effect on the ischemic heart. It provides energy to the ischemic heart rather than stimulating or overworking the energy-deprived heart. This patent expands both the scope and duration of the company's patent portfolio on Cordox(TM) in cardiovascular ischemia.

Commenting on the announcement, Paul J. Marangos, chief executive officer of Cypros, said, "This is a key piece of intellectual property for the company that provides the first clear ownership of Cordox(TM) as a positive inotrope in the setting of bypass surgery. The need for new and safer positive inotropes that help heart muscle function better rather than stimulate the already compromised heart is substantial. We have now received four patents in the past 12 months on Cordox(TM)."

Cypros Pharmaceutical is engaged in the development and marketing of drug products for the hospital market. The company currently has three products on the market, Glofil, Inulin and Ethamolin(R), is preparing to launch two proprietary, extended-release wound-care products using the Dermaflo(TM) technology; and, is developing its two lead drugs, Cordox(TM) and Ceresine(TM), for a variety of ischemic disorders.

This news release contains forward looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are subject to certain factors, which may cause the company's plans to differ. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 and the Risk Factors section of the company's Registration Statement No. 333-25661.