Data Presented at AmSECT Demonstrates Significant Advantages of PharmaNetics Heparin Management Panel in Cardiopulmonary Bypass Procedures.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2003

PharmaNetics, Inc. (NASDAQ/NM: PHAR), a leader in theranostic management specializing in managing the delivery of therapeutics affecting coagulation, today announced that data presented Saturday by Charleston Area Medical Center, West Virginia, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Extracoporeal Technicians (AmSECT) highlights the benefits of individualized heparin therapy in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (CABG). The data demonstrated that using PharmaNetics' Heparin Management Panel (HMP) and Rapidpoint ACCENT(R) resulted in statistically significant decreased post-operative bleeding and reduction in blood product use when compared with the Hepcon(R) Heparin Management System (HMS), Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis MN.

As demonstrated by this data, enhanced patient management can result in reduced blood loss, fewer complications and minimized risk to patients from exposure to blood products. This reduction should translate into better patient outcomes and significant cost savings.

Rapidpoint ACCENT is a high-dose heparin management system that automatically calculates the information required by physicians to recommend, monitor and measure heparin dosage, effect and reversal throughout a patient's cardiac bypass procedure for better preservation of hemostatic function. Rapidpoint ACCENT includes simple and easy to use test cards, including Bayer's currently available Heparin Management Test and two new tests -- the Heparin Titration Test(TM) and the Protamine Response Test(TM).

The HMP panel and data processor that comprise Rapidpoint ACCENT were developed and are manufactured by PharmaNetics, Inc. and are distributed by Bayer Diagnostics. More information on PharmaNetics and their products are available at www.pharmanetics.com. For detailed information on the HMP test and Rapidpoint ACCENT, call Bayer Diagnostics at 1-800-255-3232.

PharmaNetics, Inc., a leading biotech company, conceived the term "theranostics," defining an emerging new field of medicine that enables physicians to monitor the effect of antithrombotic agents in patients being treated for angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, and pulmonary and arterial emboli. The Company develops, manufactures and markets rapid turnaround diagnostics to assess blood clot formation and dissolution. PharmaNetics develops tests based on its proprietary, dry chemistry Thrombolytic Assessment System. Its principal target market is the management of powerful new drug compounds, some of which may have narrow therapeutic ranges, as well as monitoring routine anticoagulants.

Note: Rapidpoint is a trademark of Bayer Diagnostics.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of PharmaNetics that involve risks and uncertainties such as risks related to market acceptance, clinical trials and dependence on third-party distributors and collaborative partners that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Information concerning these and other of the factors that could cause results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports.