Guilford Awarded Four U.S. Patents for Neuroscience

Programs/ Patents Relate to Novel Compounds for Nerve Regeneration and Neuroprotection Baltimore (PROTEXT) - Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: GLFD) today announced that the Company has been issued four U.S. patents relating to discoveries in its neuroimmunophilin ligand and NAALADase inhibitor programs. Both programs represent novel approaches in the potential treatment of acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, stroke and peripheral neuropathies. Neuroimmunophilin ligands are a novel class of small molecule orally active agents which, in animal models, have demonstrated an ability to regenerate nerves damaged by injury or disease, without any apparent effect on normal healthy nerves. The newly issued patents relating to neuroimmunophilin ligands include U.S. Patent No. 5,859,031, entitled "Small Molecule Inhibitors of Rotamase Enzyme Activity" and U.S. Patent No. 5,874,449 entitled "N-Linked Sulfonamides of Heterocyclic Thioesters." The patents claim protection for FKBP- neuroimmunophilin ligands and their pharmaceutical compositions useful in treating and preventing neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, and others. In August 1997, Guilford entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration with Amgen Inc. to develop and commercialize neuroimmunophilin ligands for up to ten specified indications, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. With these new patent issuances, Guilford and Amgen now own or have exclusive rights to a total of fifteen issued U.S. patents relating to neuroimmunophilin ligands and their neurotrophic or other neurological uses, and dozens of U.S. patent applications, along with corresponding international filings, in the field. "Neuroimmunophilin ligands represent a promising new field of research. If they prove safe and effective, they may revolutionize the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Because of this potential, we have always sought as strong an intellectual property estate as possible in this field. We are very pleased with the progress to date, and with Amgen's full support in securing broad intellectual property protection for this important technology," remarked Dr. Craig R. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Guilford Pharmaceuticals. In addition to the FKBP-neuroimmunophilin program, Guilford has three neuroprotectant programs in development focusing on distinct intervention points in a complex biochemical pathway which ultimately leads to cell damage and death. One of Guilford's major neuroprotectant programs explores the use of novel small molecule enzyme inhibitors called NAALADase inhibitors. NAALADase inhibition represents a novel approach to blocking the pre-synaptic release of excessive glutamate without interfering with normal glutamate function. Excessive glutamate production has been implicated in multiple chronic and acute degenerative disorders including, chronic pain, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, head trauma, spinal cord trauma, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Moreover, experiments performed by Guilford have also shown that NAALADase inhibitors may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. The newly issued NAALADase patents include U.S. Patent No. 5,863,536, entitled "Phosphoramidate Derivatives," and U.S. Patent No. 5,880,112, entitled "NAALADase Inhibitors." These patents relate to small molecule NAALADase inhibitors useful for the treatment of glutamate abnormalities and prostate cancer. With these issuances Guilford now owns or has rights to 6 issued U.S. patents and numerous U.S. and international patent applications. "The pursuit of a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio is a core part of our effort to build a strong neuroscience franchise," remarked Dr. Smith. "The receipt of these additional patents in our NAALADase program further strengthens our proprietary position in this field and enhances our licensing and commercial prospects." Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of polymer-based therapeutics for cancer, and novel products for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, severe head trauma, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies, and cocaine addiction. Internet Address: http://www.guilfordpharm.com For Press Releases: http://www.prnewswire.com This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties, including those described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward- looking statements. In particular, there can be no assurance that the Company or any of its corporate collaborators will ultimately be able to successfully develop product candidates into safe and effective FDA-cleared drugs. Furthermore, the patentability, scope, validity, priority, enforceability, and non-infringement of claims made in patents granted to and patent applications filed by the Company in the U.S. and abroad cannot be assured. ots Original Text Service: Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Stacey Jurchison or Angela Rubin of Guilford Pharmaceuticals, (USA) 410-631-6300 Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/112882.html or fax, (USA) 800-758-5804, ext. 112882 Web site: http://www.guilfordpharm.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. 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