Press Releases 



      Wednesday 26 May 2004

      ConjuChem Starts First of Three Phase II Combination Therapy Trials With 

      DAC(TM):GLP-1





      MONTREAL, Canada, May 26, 2004 - ConjuChem Inc. (TSX: CJC) today announced 

      it has initiated enrolment in a Phase II trial for DAC(TM):GLP-1 in 

      combination with Metformin, a commonly prescribed oral anti-diabetic drug. 

      DAC(TM):GLP-1 is being developed to treat Type 2 diabetes. 

      This three-month, placebo controlled, combination therapy study will 

      provide data from no less than 72 evaluable patients in 17 centers across 

      North America (10 in the U.S. and 7 in Canada). The patients will be 

      randomized into three groups: Metformin plus placebo, Metformin plus a low 

      dose of DAC(TM):GLP-1 (1 to 4 mcg/kg), and Metformin plus a high dose of 

      DAC(TM):GLP-1 (2 to 8 mcg/kg). The primary end-point will be a comparison 

      of HbA1C levels between the active treatment groups and the control group 

      at the end of treatment. Results from this study are expected in the 

      fourth quarter of calendar 2004.

      After the initiation of this combination trial with Metformin, ConjuChem 

      intends to conduct combination trials with both Sulfonylureas and 

      thiazolidinedione (TZD), two other commonly prescribed anti-diabetic oral 

      medications. These studies are planned to commence later in 2004. The aim 

      of the trials is to determine the incremental benefits to be derived from 

      combination therapy for Type 2 diabetic patients. A Phase II DAC(TM):GLP-1 

      monotherapy trial with 150 evaluable patients is currently ongoing with 

      main results to be reported in July 2004.

      About GLP-1

      GLP-1, the body's most potent insulinotropic hormone is a naturally 

      occurring 36 amino acid peptide. GLP-1 has been shown to normalize blood 

      glucose levels by a) stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagons 

      secretion in a glucose-dependent manner; b) delaying gastric emptying; c) 

      induces Beta cell proliferation; d) restores Beta cell sensitivity to 

      glucose; and e) increases peripheral sensitivity to insulin (glycogen 

      synthesis). Moreover, GLP-1 appears to have a very attractive safety 

      profile, with a low probability of inducing hypoglycemia. However, the 

      half-life of native GLP-1, without the benefit of DAC(TM) Technology, is 

      only about 5 minutes, as it is simultaneously degraded by serum enzymes 

      and cleared through renal excretion.

      About ConjuChem

      ConjuChem, the albumin bioconjugation company, is developing long-acting 

      therapeutic compounds based on bioconjugation platform technologies. When 

      applied to peptides, the Company's systemic DAC(TM) Technology enables the 

      creation of new drugs with significantly enhanced therapeutic properties 

      as compared to the original peptide. The Company is developing compounds 

      to treat various disorders including diabetes, HIV/AIDS, human growth 

      deficiencies and congestive heart failure.

      Detailed descriptions of the Company, DAC(TM) Technology and ConjuChem's 

      product pipeline can be viewed on the Company's web page 

www.conjuchem.com.