Classic Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease May Not Be the Most Disabling

October 20, 2003 04:32 PM US Eastern Timezone

CORRECTION...by Amarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The corrected release reads:

CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE MAY NOT BE THE MOST DISABLING

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2003

Panel Discussion of Harris Interactive Patient-Based Study Focuses on New Data to Help Physicians Understand Their
Patients' Need to Improve Quality of Life

The non-motor symptoms that Parkinson's disease (PD) patients experience, such as loss of energy and pain, appear to
have a greater impact on their quality of life than the motor symptoms typically associated with the disease, such as
tremor. This surprising finding of a new Harris Interactive(R) study may alter the way physicians assess and treat
their patients, according to top Parkinson's disease researchers.

The results of this nationwide study, titled "Impact of Parkinson's Disease on the Quality of Life," were presented
today at a panel discussion prior to the opening session of the American Neurological Association's annual meeting.
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than one million adults in the United
States; the disease affects the portion of the brain that controls movement and muscle control.

"This is a key finding," said panelist Matthew B. Stern, MD, Parker Family Professor of Neurology and Director,
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System. "Parkinson's is a complex
disease that has identifiable motor and non-motor symptoms. Non-motor symptoms can include pain, loss of energy, sleep
disturbances and anxiety. Although these symptoms may not be immediately apparent to the physician, they are highly
significant to the patient's quality of life -- a cue to physicians to take a more global view of the disease and how
it is treated."

The panel focused on results from the study, which was based on the responses to an online survey of 228 Parkinson's
disease patients who have had the disease for at least five years. The survey, which Harris Interactive conducted, was
fielded August through September 2003, and was supported by Amarin Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AMRN) and sponsored by WE
MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders). Panelists discussing the findings were Dr. Stern;
William Koller, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine (New York); Ray Watts, MD, Chairman of
Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Judith Blazer, MS, Executive Director, WE MOVE; and Lori Stone, PhD,
Senior Research Associate, Harris Interactive.

The Disruptive Impact of "Off" Time

According to the study findings, top reported unmet needs of PD patients include the disabling symptoms and emotional
stress that accompany their "off" time, the period between medication doses when the effectiveness of medication
declines and symptoms of Parkinson's disease return. Seventy-five percent of study participants reported experiencing
"off" time. Fifty-three percent of patients report that they are dissatisfied with the amount of "off" time they
experience. Although they are not the most frequently occurring symptoms during "off" time, loss of energy, walking
problems and pain are reported as the most disabling symptoms PD patients' experiences.

According to the survey, these symptoms force patients to make many accommodations to their daily lives, which in turn,
have a significant impact on their quality of life. PD patients report that their ability to walk, drive, work, read
and talk is impaired during "off" time. These problems appear to be amplified in PD patients who are also depressed, a
condition that more than one-third of survey respondents reported experiencing. In addition, the unpredictability of
"off" time exacts an emotional cost on PD patients, leaving them depressed, feeling hopeless and embarrassed.

The Complexity of Medication Dosing

On average, Parkinson's patients who participated in the survey take 19 pills per day, with some taking as many as 100
pills per day. In addition, more than half (59 percent) of patients reported swallowing difficulties.

"Many of my Parkinson's patients express a high level of discontent with not only multiple doses of medications but the
feeling that many of their most troubling symptoms are not being addressed," stated Dr. Koller. "The way neurologists
treat Parkinson's disease and the future development of innovative therapies will now need to address both motor and
non-motor symptoms."

Hopes for New Treatments

When asked to reveal their preferences for new Parkinson's treatments, survey respondents highlighted the desire for
fewer side effects, a more predictable response and improvement in daily "off" time, characteristics considered three
to four times more important than the other seven options provided in the survey.

Blazer, representing the patient information and advocacy group WE MOVE, explained, "Historically, Parkinson's patients
were treated according to the identifiable physical limitations associated with the disease. As the Harris Interactive
study points out, the importance of the non-motor symptoms experienced during 'off' time has often been overlooked in
treating Parkinson's patients."

"The data from this study will be instrumental in assisting physicians in providing care for their Parkinson's
patients. We are pleased to be able to support this important study," said Michael Coffee, President and COO, Amarin
Pharmaceuticals.

The full survey report may be obtained by emailing: [log in to unmask]

A digitized replay of the panel discussion is available from Monday, October 20, 10:30 a.m. Pacific, to Wednesday,
October 22, 12:00 p.m. Pacific, by dialing 1-800-475-6701 and entering access code 701669.

Study Methodology

This study was conducted online within the United States between August 19 and September 8, 2003, among a sample of 228
U.S. adults, aged 18 years and over, who have had Parkinson's disease for a minimum of five years. Responses were
weighted by age and gender using current U.S. epidemiological data.

Patients with Parkinson's disease were recruited from four different sources. The largest number of survey respondents
was provided through the People Living With Parkinson's website. People Living With Parkinson's is a non-profit
organization founded by two Parkinson's disease patients and dedicated to educating and supporting Parkinson's disease
patients. The content of the online questionnaire was developed from research gathered during a series of focus groups
with Parkinson's disease patients and with the help of medical advisors and WE MOVE, a non-profit organization focusing
on movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease.

In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a
statistical precision of plus or minus 6.4 percentage points of what they would be if the entire population of those
with Parkinson's disease in the United States had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several
other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of
sampling error. They include refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and question order,
interviewer bias, weighting by demographic control data and screening (e.g., for likely voters). It is impossible to
quantify the errors that may result from these factors. This online sample was not a probability sample.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

About WE MOVE

WE MOVE, a not-for-profit organization, has been educating and informing the movement disorder community for over a
decade. WE MOVE believes that increased knowledge and understanding promote timely, accurate diagnosis and up-to-date
treatment, resulting in a better quality of life for individuals affected by movement disorders.

About Amarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Amarin Corporation plc is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on neurology. The Company plans to become a leader
in these therapeutic categories by providing innovative products and solutions that address significant unmet medical
needs. Amarin has seven pharmaceutical products on the US market along with a development pipeline that includes two
late-stage candidates: Zelapar(TM) (selegiline HCl orally disintegrating tablets) for Parkinson's disease and LAX-101,
a proprietary compound for Huntington's disease.

About Harris Interactive(R)

Harris Interactive ( http://www.harrisinteractive.com ) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known
for The Harris Poll(R),and for pioneering the Internet me thod to conduct scientifically accurate market research.
Headquartered in Rochester, New York, U.S.A., Harris Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with
expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research. The Company conducts international research through wholly
owned subsidiaries -- London-based HI Europe ( http://www.hieurope.com ) and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan -- as
well as through the Harris Interactive Global Network of local market- and opinion-research firms, and various U.S.
offices. EOE M/F/D/V

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to participate in future online surveys, visit
http://www.harrispollonline.com

Contacts:

WE MOVE
Joy Bartnett, 520-625-0564
[log in to unmask]

or

Amarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mike Coffee, 415-389-4755
[log in to unmask]

or

Harris Interactive
Bonnie Hughes, 585-214-7541
[log in to unmask]

or

Nancy Wong, 585-214-7316
[log in to unmask]

SOURCE: Business Wire (press release)
http://tinyurl.com/rpsc

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