NASDAQ: CRME TSX: COM VANCOUVER, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cardiome Pharma Corp. (NASDAQ: CRMENASDAQ:/NASDAQ:TSX:NASDAQ:COM) announced today that it is offering 8,000,000 common shares in the United States and Canada pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement. The corporation will grant the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 common shares at the offering price during the period ending 30 days from the closing of the offering to cover over-allotments, if any. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. is acting as book-running manager in this offering and CIBC World Markets Inc., Canaccord Adams Inc. and Leerink Swann & Company are acting as co-managers. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with and declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and a short form base shelf prospectus relating to these securities has been filed with each of the provincial securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement may be obtained from Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Attention: Prospectus Department, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, U.S.A. 10179, (631) 274-8321. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any state or province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or province. About Cardiome Pharma Corp. Cardiome Pharma Corp. is a product-focused cardiovascular drug development company with two clinical drug programs focused on atrial arrhythmia (intravenous and oral dosing), and a pre-clinical program directed at improving cardiovascular function. Vernakalant (iv) is the intravenous formulation of an investigational drug being evaluated for the acute conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF). Positive top-line results from two pivotal Phase 3 trials for vernakalant (iv), called ACT 1 and ACT 3, were released in December 2004 and September 2005. An additional Phase 3 study evaluating patients with post-operative atrial arrhythmia, called ACT 2, and an open-label safety study evaluating recent-onset AF patients, called ACT 4, are ongoing. Cardiome's co-development partner Astellas Pharma US, Inc. submitted a New Drug Application for vernakalant (iv) in December 2006. Vernakalant (oral) is being investigated as a chronic-use oral drug for the maintenance of normal heart rhythm following termination of AF. Cardiome announced positive results from a Phase 2a pilot study for vernakalant (oral) in September 2006. Cardiome is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (COM) and the NASDAQ National Market (CRME). Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer The statements in this press release relating to the proposed public offering include certain forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on the corporation's current expectations but they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, capital markets conditions and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at http://www.sec.gov/. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CONTACT: Peter K. Hofman, Senior Director, Investor Relations, (604) 676-6993, or Toll Free: 1-800-330-9928, Email: DATASOURCE: Cardiome Pharma Corp. CONTACT: Peter K. Hofman, Senior Director, Investor Relations, (604) 676-6993, or Toll Free: 1-800-330-9928, Email:

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