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Titan Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Initial Results in Primate Model of Parkinson`s Disease With Novel Cell Therapy, Spheramine January 22, 1998 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.---- Jan. 21, 1998-- Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTNP) today announced positive preliminary results from a pilot study with its cell therapy product, Spheramine(TM), in a primate model of Parkinson's disease. The study was conducted at a leading academic institution, utilizing a well-established and validated rhesus monkey model of Parkinson's disease. Spheramine(TM), the company's proprietary cell therapy, restored function in animals that had severe movement impairments. Marked improvement was also shown using a standard scale for assessment of Parkinson's disease severity. Improvement was rapidly achieved and maintained after a single treatment. No immunosuppression was required. Efficacy was undiminished at the conclusion of the eight-month experiment, indicating the potential for continued efficacy for substantially longer periods. "We believe Spheramine(TM) has a number of potential advantages over conventional therapies and offers a practical approach to unlocking the promise of cell therapy for this disease," stated Dr. Louis R. Bucalo, President and CEO of Titan. "The results of this pilot study are quite important," stated Marvin E. Jaffe, M.D., a member of Titan's Board of Directors and formerly the head of clinical research at Merck & Co., where he directed the development of Sinemet(TM), the leading treatment for Parkinson's disease. "As this primate model is generally predictive of efficacy in humans," continued Dr. Jaffe, "we believe expanded studies now in progress will help support a compelling rationale for clinical testing of Spheramine(TM) in Parkinson's patients." Spheramine(TM) is a cell therapy that is delivered by stereotaxic injection to the brain, providing dopamine to specific sites that are deficient in dopamine in Parkinson's disease. "A number of academic centers have already demonstrated that cell therapy can provide real benefit in Parkinson's patients," continued Dr. Bucalo. "Spheramine(TM) builds upon that early success by providing a product that, based upon information to date, can be readily manufactured and used in the clinic without the need for immune suppression. Our proprietary CCM(TM) technology, on which Spheramine(TM) is based, greatly enhances survival of cells delivered to the brain, as demonstrated in numerous preclinical studies. This suggests the potential for increased potency." Additional data demonstrating the survival-enhancing capability of the company's CCM(TM) technology was recently published in the December 1997 issue of Cell Transplantation. In these studies, human neural cells were transplanted into the brains of rats. The company's CCM(TM) technology greatly enhanced survival of the transplanted human cells, without any need for immune suppression. 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: | Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Louis R. Bucalo, M.D. | President & CEO | 650-244-4990 | or | Investor Contact: | Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc. | Keith L. Lippert | ([log in to unmask]) | 212-838-3777 | Bruce Voss ([log in to unmask]) | 310-575-4848 [Copyright 1998, Business Wire]