Cypros Pharmaceutical Reports Data From Phase II Trial of Ceresine in Stroke Patients; Results Confirm Those Found in Earlier Traumatic Brain Injury Trial.

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 18, 1999--Cypros Pharmaceutical Corp. (AMEX:CYP) announced today that the results of its placebo-controlled, double-blind study of Ceresine(TM) in adult ischemic stroke patients showed that Ceresine reduced the accumulation of brain lactic acid in a dose dependent manner compared to placebo.

Elevated lactic acid is associated with brain damage in stroke and brain injury patients. The study results confirm those found earlier by the company in its Phase II trial of Ceresine in patients with traumatic brain injuries. The current study is the first of its kind to utilize the technique of magnetic resonance spectroscopy ("MRS"), which can actually quantify lactate in the conscious patient in real time.

Ceresine is a drug that lowers lactic acid in tissues that have been deprived of oxygen. Lactic acid accumulation in stroke and brain injury patients is correlated with poor outcomes and has been implicated in the neurodegeneration cascade associated with these disorders.

While several neuroprotection drugs employing different mechanisms have been evaluated with limited success in stroke and head injury patients, the lactate-reducing approach has yet to be tested as a means of improving clinical outcome in stroke patients. Previous clinical studies of Ceresine in traumatic brain injury patients have produced similar lactic acid reductions.

Commenting on the results Dr. Glenn Graham, director of stroke research at the University of New Mexico and study director for the current trial, said: "Reduction in brain lactic acid is as yet an untried but highly rational neuroprotective strategy for acute stroke patients. Using the MRS technique, we have demonstrated the ability of Ceresine to accomplish this result. Further clinical studies with Ceresine are therefore warranted in these patients."

Cypros Pharmaceutical is engaged in the development and marketing of drug products for the hospital market. The company is pursuing a diversified strategy of marketing approved drugs and developing small molecule therapeutics that protect cells from ischemic injury.

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.