Guilford Awarded Four U.S. Patents for Neuroscience

Programs/ Patents Relate to Novel Compounds for NerveRegeneration 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 ligandand NAALADase inhibitor programs. Both programs represent novelapproaches in the potential treatment of acute and chronicneurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease,Alzheimer's disease, ALS, stroke and peripheral neuropathies. Neuroimmunophilin ligands are a novel class of small moleculeorally active agents which, in animal models, have demonstratedan ability to regenerate nerves damaged by injury or disease,without any apparent effect on normal healthy nerves. The newly issued patents relating to neuroimmunophilin ligandsinclude U.S. Patent No. 5,859,031, entitled "Small MoleculeInhibitors of Rotamase Enzyme Activity" and U.S. Patent No.5,874,449 entitled "N-Linked Sulfonamides of HeterocyclicThioesters." The patents claim protection for FKBP-neuroimmunophilin ligands and their pharmaceutical compositionsuseful in treating and preventing neurological disorders such asParkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, and others. In August 1997, Guilford entered into an exclusive worldwidecollaboration with Amgen Inc. to develop and commercializeneuroimmunophilin ligands for up to ten specified indications,including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiplesclerosis. With these new patent issuances, Guilford and Amgen now own orhave exclusive rights to a total of fifteen issued U.S. patentsrelating to neuroimmunophilin ligands and their neurotrophic orother neurological uses, and dozens of U.S. patent applications,along with corresponding international filings, in the field. "Neuroimmunophilin ligands represent a promising new field ofresearch. If they prove safe and effective, they mayrevolutionize the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Because of this potential, we have always sought as strong anintellectual property estate as possible in this field. We arevery pleased with the progress to date, and with Amgen's fullsupport in securing broad intellectual property protection forthis important technology," remarked Dr. Craig R. Smith,President and Chief Executive Officer of GuilfordPharmaceuticals. In addition to the FKBP-neuroimmunophilin program, Guilfordhas three neuroprotectant programs in development focusing ondistinct intervention points in a complex biochemical pathwaywhich ultimately leads to cell damage and death. One ofGuilford's major neuroprotectant programs explores the use ofnovel small molecule enzyme inhibitors called NAALADaseinhibitors. NAALADase inhibition represents a novel approach toblocking the pre-synaptic release of excessive glutamate withoutinterfering with normal glutamate function. Excessive glutamateproduction has been implicated in multiple chronic and acutedegenerative disorders including, chronic pain, peripheralneuropathy, stroke, head trauma, spinal cord trauma, Parkinson'sdisease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Moreover,experiments performed by Guilford have also shown that NAALADaseinhibitors 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." Thesepatents relate to small molecule NAALADase inhibitors useful forthe treatment of glutamate abnormalities and prostate cancer.With these issuances Guilford now owns or has rights to 6 issuedU.S. patents and numerous U.S. and international patentapplications. "The pursuit of a comprehensive intellectual propertyportfolio is a core part of our effort to build a strongneuroscience franchise," remarked Dr. Smith. "The receipt ofthese additional patents in our NAALADase program furtherstrengthens our proprietary position in this field and enhancesour licensing and commercial prospects." Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical companyengaged in the development of polymer-based therapeutics forcancer, and novel products for the diagnosis and treatment ofneurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer'sdisease, stroke, severe head trauma, spinal cord injuries,multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies, and cocaineaddiction. Internet Address:

http://www.guilfordpharm.com For Press Releases: http://www.prnewswire.com This press release contains forward-looking statements thatinvolve risk and uncertainties, including those described in thesection entitled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's AnnualReport on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, on filewith the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause theCompany's actual results and experience to differ materially fromanticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. In particular, there can be no assurance thatthe Company or any of its corporate collaborators will ultimatelybe able to successfully develop product candidates into safe andeffective FDA-cleared drugs. Furthermore, the patentability,scope, validity, priority, enforceability, and non-infringementof claims made in patents granted to and patent applicationsfiled 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 orAngela Rubin of Guilford Pharmaceuticals, (USA) 410-631-6300Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/112882.htmlor fax, (USA) 800-758-5804, ext. 112882 Web site:http://www.guilfordpharm.com

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