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Titan Pharmaceuticals Receives U.S. Patent Covering Use Of Sertoli Cells To Induce Neurorecovery In Parkinson`s Disease December 18, 1997 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire) via Individual Inc. -- Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTNP, TTNPU, TTNPW) today announced that U.S. Patent 5,702,700 covering "Sertoli Cells as Neurorecovery Inducing Cells for Parkinson's Disease" will be issued on December 30, 1997 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Titan's wholly owned subsidiary, Theracell, Inc., holds an exclusive license from the University of South Florida to this patent and other applications relating to neurologic uses of Sertoli cell technology. The patent discloses a method for treating Parkinson's disease by stereotaxic implantation of Sertoli cells directly into the affected area of the brain without the need for immunosuppression. The animal data disclosed in the patent was reported in the October 1997 issue of Nature Medicine. "Sertoli cells are a readily available cell type that secrete a variety of growth factors and support the growth and maturation of germ cells," stated Richard C. Allen, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Titan. " Sertoli cells implanted in the brain have demonstrated the ability to restore function in an animal model of Parkinson's disease by promoting restoration of neural connections." Louis R. Bucalo, M.D., President and CEO of Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., added, "We are pleased with the issuance of this patent, as we believe Sertoli cells may have broad utility as a platform neural regeneration technology. Potential additional applications include neurological disorders such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and Amyotrophric Lateral Sclerosis." Dr. Allen continued, "Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disease in which specialized brain cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine gradually die. This data suggests that Sertoli cells may be useful in promoting functional recovery in earlier-stage Parkinson's patients, who are more likely to have sufficient residual dopamine-producing neurons to respond to neural regeneration therapy." In addition to its Sertoli cell-based development program, Titan is also currently testing in primates an additional cell-based therapy, Spheramine(TM), for later-stage Parkinson's patients. The company believes its combined technology platforms in cell therapy of Parkinson's disease may potentially more comprehensively address the different physiologic status of early and later-stage patients. Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary therapeutics for the treatment of nervous system disorders, cancer and other serious and life-threatening diseases. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward- looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the results of pre-clinical and clinical testing, the effect of regulation by the FDA and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. CONTACT: Company Contact: | Louis R. Bucalo, M.D. | President & CEO | Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 650-244-4990 | or | Investor Contact: | Keith L. Lippert, Bruce Voss | Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc. | 212-838-3777 | [log in to unmask] | [log in to unmask]