Manhattan Pharmaceuticals Announces Results of Phase 2a Study of Topical PTH (1-34) for the Treatment of Psoriasis

Product is Well Tolerated but Shows No Significant Improvement in Treated Lesions When Compared to Vehicle


NEW YORK, July 31, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB:MHAN) today announced top-line results from its Phase 2a clinical study of topical PTH (1-34) for the treatment of psoriasis. This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, parallel group study was designed to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of two dose levels of topical PTH (1-34) for the treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. While the study did achieve the primary safety objective, the data did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in the overall disease severity of treatment lesions or signs and symptoms of psoriasis (redness, scaling, plaque thickness, and itch) as compared to the vehicle (placebo) gel. Topical PTH (1-34) appeared to be well tolerated with no hypercalcemia or serious adverse events reported. Manhattan Pharmaceuticals intends to further analyze and asses these data in order to determine appropriate next steps for the program

The company continues to dedicate its efforts and resources to advancing Hedrin toward regulatory approval as a medical device as well as securing a commercialization and marketing partner for the product. In June 2008, Manhattan Pharmaceuticals announced that Hedrin, a next generation, non-insecticide treatment for pediculosis (head lice), had been directed to the Center for Device and Radiological Health division of the United States Food and Drug Administration for review as a medical device. The product is currently being developed for the North American market by Hedrin Pharmaceuticals K/S, a joint venture between Manhattan Pharmaceuticals and Nordic Biotech Venture Fund II K/S.

About Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company that acquires and develops novel, high-value drug candidates primarily for the treatment of dermatologic disorders. With a pipeline consisting of four clinical stage product candidates, the company is currently developing Hedrin(tm), a novel, non-insecticide treatment for pediculosis (head lice); Topical PTH (1-34) for the treatment of psoriasis; Altoderm(tm) (topical cromolyn sodium) for the treatment of pruritus associated with dermatologic conditions including atopic dermatitis; and Altolyn(tm) (oral tablet cromolyn sodium) for the treatment of mastocytosis. (http://www.manhattanpharma.com)

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," "will," and similar words or phrases. These statements are based on Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, which are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s development efforts relating to its PTH (1-34), Altoderm(tm), or Altolyn(tm) product candidates, or the Hedrin(tm) product candidate being developed by our joint venture with Nordic Biotech Venture Fund, or any future product candidates, will be successful, or that Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will be able to out-license its discontinued programs to other companies on terms acceptable to Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. or at all. Other risks that may affect forward-looking information contained in this press release include, without limitation, the company's extremely limited capital resources, the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s product candidates, the risk that the results of clinical trials may not support the company's claims, the risk that the company's product candidates may not achieve market acceptance in North America or elsewhere, the company's reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates, availability of patent protection, the risk that sufficient capital may not be available to develop and commercialize the company's product candidates, the company's lack of experience in developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products, and that trading in the company's stock may be adversely impacted by the company's voluntary delisting of its common stock from the American Stock Exchange. Additional risks are described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



            

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