CepTor in Pacific Rim agreement with JCR Pharmaceuticals for Myodur, drug for muscular dystrophy

Main Category: Muscular Dystrophy / ALS
Article Date: 03 Mar 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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CepTor Corporation (OTC BB: CEPO) today announced that it has granted an exclusive fifteen-year license to JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., LTD. of Japan to develop and commercialize its lead product, Myodur, for the treatment of muscular dystrophy, in the Pacific Rim. Countries include: Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan and Singapore. The licensing agreement provides for, among other things, equity payments, milestone payments and double digit royalties on sales of Myodur in the Pacific Rim.

William Pursley, CepTor's Chairman and CEO stated, "JCR represents an excellent strategic relationship for CepTor as they were our first choice for a Pacific Rim partner. JCR has a thorough understanding of the development and marketing of specialty pharmaceuticals and, like CepTor, fully understands and appreciates the orphan drug business model. This is evidenced by their strong position in the Japanese human growth hormone market. We look forward to a long, productive and expanding relationship with JCR Pharmaceuticals."

JCR's CEO, Shin Ashida, commented, "We are looking forward to bringing Myodur to muscular dystrophy patients in the Pacific Rim as quickly as possible. JCR shares a similar philosophy with CepTor of bringing meaningful products to market for unmet medical needs. Muscular dystrophy represents one of the gravest needs where there is no current definitive therapy. We are very excited about this partnership."

About CepTor

CepTor Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of proprietary, cell-targeted therapeutic products for neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. The Company's mission is to increase the quality and quantity of life of people suffering with these diseases. CepTor's primary efforts are currently being focused on moving its lead product, MYODUR, into phase I/II clinical trials for Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. The Company's broad platform technology also includes the development of products for multiple sclerosis, retinal degeneration and epilepsy.

About JCR

JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., is a biopharmaceutical company founded in 1975 to research, development and manufacture human-derived bioactive substances. While JCR engages in the manufacture of enzymes and hormones, its recent activities include the research and development of cell therapies and orphan drugs. JCR's core product is recombinant human growth hormone, which is manufactured and sold in Japan.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements are valid only as of today, and we disclaim any obligation to update this information. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes. Drug discovery and development involve a high degree of risk. Factors that might cause such a material difference include, among others, uncertainties related to the ability to attract and retain partners for our technologies, the identification of lead compounds, the successful preclinical development thereof, the completion of clinical trials, the FDA review process and other government regulation, our pharmaceutical collaborator's ability to successfully develop and commercialize drug candidates, competition from other pharmaceutical companies, product pricing and third party reimbursement.

CONTACTS:

Don Fallon, CFO
CepTor Corporation
(410) 527-9998 Fax (410) 527-9867

Andria Arena
Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger Assoc. LLC
(212) 370-4500 Fax (212) 370-4505
andria@wolfeaxelrod.com

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