SVNTE Savient Pharmaceuticals (MM)

-Clinical Results Indicate Puricase's Activity in Patients with Severe Gout with Whom Conventional Therapy is Contraindicated or Has Been Ineffective- Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (NASDAQ: SVNTE) an emerging specialty pharmaceuticals company focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing novel therapeutic products for unmet medical needs, announced today that two abstracts detailing data on the Phase 2 clinical trial results of its drug development candidate, Puricase(R) (PEG-uricase), will be presented at the 2005 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego, California being held November 12 - 17, 2005. The first abstract to be presented is entitled "Resolution of Tophi with Intravenous PEG-uricase in Refractory Gout." The abstract by Herbert S.B. Baraf, M.D. of George Washington University will be presented in a poster session on November 14, 2005. The second abstract to be presented is entitled, "A Phase 2 Study of Multiple Doses of Intravenous Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-uricase in Patients with Hyperuricemia and Refractory Gout." The abstract will be an oral presentation by lead investigator John S. Sundy, M.D. of Duke University during the "Crystals and Bugs in the Rheumatic Diseases" concurrent session on November 16, 2005. The Phase 2 study was a randomized, open label, multi-center, parallel group study. It was designed to assess the plasma urate response and pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of PEG-uricase in patients with severe gout with whom conventional therapy is contraindicated or has been ineffective. The study indicated that multiple dose administration of Puricase leads to substantial, sustained lowering of plasma urate levels in the majority of patients. The results support progression into full development in Phase 3 studies. Christopher Clement, President and Chief Executive Officer of Savient, said, "We are extremely pleased about the acceptance of these abstracts on Puricase at this prestigious scientific meeting for the rheumatology community. We are encouraged by the results of our Phase 2 study, which we believe suggest that Puricase has the potential to be an effective treatment for patients suffering from severe gout. We look forward to beginning the Phase 3 clinical development program during the first quarter of 2006 and continuing to advance Puricase towards commercialization." To view the abstracts, visit the conference website at: www.rheumatology.org/annual/index.asp. About Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Based in East Brunswick, New Jersey, Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing, manufacturing and marketing novel therapeutic products that address unmet medical needs. The Company's lead product development candidate, Puricase(R), for the treatment of refractory gout has reported positive Phase 1 and 2 clinical data. Savient's experienced management team is committed to advancing its pipeline and expanding its product portfolio by in-licensing late stage compounds and exploring co-promotion and co-development opportunities that fit the Company's expertise in specialty pharmaceuticals and initial focus in rheumatology. The Company's operations also include a wholly-owned U.K. subsidiary, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd., which develops, manufactures and markets liquid formulations of prescription pharmaceutical products. Rosemont's product portfolio includes over 90 liquid formulations primarily targeting the geriatric population. Puricase is a registered trademark of Mountain View Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Further information on the Company can be accessed by visiting www.savientpharma.com (http://www.savientpharma.com/). Safe Harbor Statement This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report regarding the Company's strategy, expected future financial position, discovery and development of products, strategic alliances, competitive position, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "will" and other similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. In particular, the statements as to the commencement of the Phase 3 studies of Puricase, its effectiveness in treating patients suffering from severe gout and its eventual commercialization are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company's business and the biopharmaceutical and specialty pharmaceutical industries in which the Company operates. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, delay or failure in developing Prosaptide, Puricase and other product candidates; difficulties of expanding the Company's product portfolio through in-licensing; introduction of generic competition for Oxandrin; fluctuations in buying patterns of wholesalers; potential future returns of Oxandrin or other products; our continuing to incur substantial net losses for the foreseeable future; difficulties in obtaining financing; potential development of alternative technologies or more effective products by competitors; reliance on third-parties to manufacture, market and distribute many of the Company's products; economic, political and other risks associated with foreign operations; risks of maintaining protection for the Company's intellectual property; risks of an adverse determination in on-going or future intellectual property litigation; and risks associated with stringent government regulation of the biopharmaceutical and specialty pharmaceutical industries. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that the Company makes. The Company's forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments that the Company may make. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.