Alteon Issued Key Composition-of-Matter Patent Covering Additional A.G.E. Crosslink Breakers to Treat Diseases of Aging and Diab

Alteon Issued Key Composition-of-Matter Patent Covering
Additional A.G.E. Crosslink Breakers to Treat Diseases of Aging and Diabetes



PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 20  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alteon Inc. (AMEX: ALT)
announced today that it has been granted a patent on additional thiazolium
compounds in the A.G.E. Crosslink Breaker class.  A.G.E. Crosslink Breakers, a
class of compounds discovered by Alteon, offer the possibility of the first
therapeutic approach to treat and even reverse certain medical conditions
related to aging and diabetes.  U.S. Patent # 6,790,859 "Reversing advanced
glycosylation crosslinks using heterocyclic-substituted thiazolium compounds,"
issued September 14, 2004, clearly distinguishes Alteon as the leader in the
A.G.E. field.

These new compounds hold promise for reversing the deleterious aging of key
proteins in the body.  The patent claims cover their potential utility in
treating pathologies of aging and diabetes, including hypertension,
retinopathy, cataracts, diabetic kidney disease, glomerulosclerosis, peripheral
vascular disease, arteriosclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, stroke,
atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis and the loss of elasticity and wrinkling of the
skin.

In addition, the compounds are covered for their possible utility in
foodstuffs, including plant and animal material, that undergo deterioration and
become spoiled or toughened.

Alteon's lead A.G.E. Crosslink Breaker, alagebrium, is in several phase 2
clinical trials for its potential in cardiovascular disease conditions,
including hypertension and heart failure.

"The potential for A.G.E. Crosslink Breaker compounds is tremendous," said
Kenneth I. Moch, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "We continue to
protect our proprietary position in this technology and build a valuable
pipeline behind alagebrium."

About Alteon

Alteon is developing several new classes of drugs that reverse or slow down
diseases of aging and complications of diabetes.  These compounds have an
impact on a fundamental pathological process caused by protein-glucose
complexes called Advanced Glycation End-products (A.G.E.s).  The formation and
crosslinking of A.G.E.s lead to a loss of flexibility and function in body
tissues, organs and vessels and have been shown to be a causative factor in
many age-related diseases and diabetic complications.  Alteon has created a
library of novel classes of compounds targeting the A.G.E. Pathway.  Alteon's
lead compound alagebrium chloride (formerly ALT-711), the only A.G.E. Crosslink
Breaker in advanced human testing, has demonstrated safety and efficacy in
several Phase 2 trials and is actively being developed for systolic
hypertension and heart failure.  Ongoing clinical trials include SPECTRA
(Systolic Pressure Efficacy and Safety Trial of Alagebrium) and PEDESTAL
(Patients with Impaired Ejection Fraction and Diastolic Dysfunction: Efficacy
and Safety Trial of ALagebrium), as well as a third trial exploring mechanism
of action in endothelial dysfunction.  For more information on Alteon, visit
the company's website at http://www.alteon.com/.

Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future plans,
events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties including, but not limited to, those relating to technology and
product development (including the possibility that early clinical trial
results may not be predictive of results that will be obtained in large-scale
testing or that any clinical trials will not demonstrate sufficient safety and
efficacy to obtain requisite approvals or will not result in marketable
products), regulatory approval processes, intellectual property rights and
litigation, competitive products, ability to obtain financing, and other risks
identified in Alteon's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
information contained in this press release is accurate as of the date
indicated.  Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. Alteon
undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to
these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events. 

DATASOURCE: Alteon Inc.



CONTACT:  Susan M. Pietropaolo, Director, Corporate Communications &

Investor Relations, Alteon Inc., [phone]



Web site:  http://www.alteonpharma.com/

http://www.alteon.com/ 

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