PROSORBA Column European Product Launch Announced; Novel Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Now Available in Western and Central Europe.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

LISBON, Portugal--(BW HealthWire)--April 7, 2000

Cypress Bioscience Inc. (Nasdaq:CYPB) and Fresenius HemoCare GmbH, Bad Homburg, Germany, jointly announced the European launch of the PROSORBA(R) column treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Speaking at a special Symposium on the PROSORBA column at the International Society for Rheumatic Therapies (ISRT), Cypress and Fresenius reported that registration of the PROSORBA treatment system has been completed, thereby permitting the sale of the product in Europe. In addition to the PROSORBA column, the treatment system includes the Fresenius Cell Separator and Leukocyte Filter, and the disposables necessary to use these products with the PROSORBA column. Fresenius HemoCare is the sole European marketer and distributor of the PROSORBA column.

Rainer Baule, chief operating officer of Fresenius HemoCare, said, "Fresenius HemoCare Adsorber Technology GmbH, in partnership with Cypress Bioscience, is preparing extensively for the European launch, and will introduce the PROSORBA column system in multiple European countries over the next few months." Initially, the product will be launched in France, Italy and Germany. "As in the United States, we expect that availability of this exciting new therapy to be a boon for European patients with difficult to treat RA," Baule added.

In a symposium at the ISRT, leading rheumatologists involved in clinical trials with the PROSORBA column discussed Immunoadsorption, the process by which harmful substances can be removed from the blood, and its applications in rheumatology. R. Michael Gendreau, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president, research and development, chief scientific officer and chief medical officer for Cypress Bioscience Inc., also provided a clinical update on data gathered on patients since the product became commercially available one year ago in the United States.

Overall, 75% of patients who had completed seven or more treatments of the total 12-week treatment course responded to treatment. There was no difference in response rate noted between those patients who had a history of having failed one of the new "TNF blocker" drugs such as Enbrel(R) (manufactured by Immunex and distributed by Wyeth-Ayerst, a division of American Home Products) and those with no previous experience with "TNF blockers."

About Cypress Bioscience Inc.

Cypress Bioscience Inc. markets the PROSORBA column for types of rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura ("ITP"), which are types of immune disorders, and is engaged in the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of blood platelet disorders. In March 1999, the company entered into an agreement that granted Fresenius AG and Fresenius Hemotechnology Inc. an exclusive license to manufacture and distribute the PROSORBA column in the U.S., Europe and certain other territories.

In April 1999, Cypress and Fresenius launched sale of the PROSORBA column for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. In March 2000, the company entered into an agreement with Medexus, to market the PROSORBA column in Canada. The PROSORBA column was previously cleared by the FDA in 1987 for use in ITP, an immune bleeding disorder.

In addition, Cypress is developing Cyplex(TM) (Infusible Platelet Membranes), which is positioned to become an alternative for traditional platelet infusions. For more information about the PROSORBA column and Cypress, please visit the company's Web site at www.cypressbio.com.

About Fresenius Hemocare

Fresenius HemoCare -- a company of the Fresenius Group -- is one of Europe's leading companies in blood treatment and infusion technology.

Fresenius HemoCare products and services are used in blood donation and separation of blood components, as well as for intravenous infusion of pharmaceuticals with highly sophisticated infusion pumps. Its core competencies emphasize innovative products in immune therapy and in therapies for extracorporeal blood treatment.

Fresenius HemoCare has more than 2,000 employees worldwide who are actively engaged in extending its global reach for its leading European market platform.

For additional information about Fresenius HemoCare, please visit their Web site at www.fresenius-hemocare.com.

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements regarding Cypress Bioscience Inc. That involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the company and Medexus' and the company's and Fresenius' ability to market successfully the PROSORBA column for use as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis; whether the company will be successful in collaborating with Medexus or Fresenius; whether the final survey data related to the clinical use of the PROSORBA column as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis will confirm the preliminary data; and the company's ability to develop and receive regulatory clearance for Cyplex(TM) on a timely basis, if at all, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the company's sec reports, including its annual report on form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 1999 and its most recent quarterly report on form 10-Q.