Catherine Angell Sohn, Pharm.D., CLP to Provide Industry Expertise as Ariel Advances Lead Compounds

Broomfield, CO, March 30, 2012 – Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private, development-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutic products for major unmet medical needs, announced today that Catherine Angell Sohn, Pharm.D., CLP, has been appointed as an independent director to Ariel’s board of directors.

Dr. Sohn currently serves as president of Sohn Health Strategies, LLC, providing business development and new product marketing consultation to biotechnology, specialty pharmaceutical, rare disease and consumer healthcare companies.  In 2010, she retired from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) after holding various pharmaceutical, vaccine and consumer healthcare leadership positions.  Most recently, she was senior vice president of worldwide business development and strategic alliances for GSK’s $8 billion consumer healthcare division.

Early in her tenure with GSK, Dr. Sohn established the U.S. vaccine business unit for SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and led the commercialization of Engerix-B Vaccine, which grew to more than $100 million in sales.  Subsequently, she led the commercialization of Paxil, which became one of GSK’s top five products in the U.S.

Dr. Sohn joined Smith Kline & French (now GSK) in anti-infective medical affairs and later acted as vice president for worldwide strategic product development for the cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic therapeutic areas and was a member of the global executive team for strategic product development.

In addition to serving as independent director on the boards of Ariel and The Dohmen Company, a privately held provider of business services to life science companies, Dr. Sohn is Dean’s Professor and member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Sciences in Philadelphia, PA.  She concurrently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for Drexel University School of Public Health, serves on the Ben Franklin Technology Partners Investment Advisory Committee, Ernst & Young’s global Life Science Advisory Board, Springboard Enterprises Life Science Council and the global advisory board of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).  She has also previously served to the boards of multiple non-profit organizations, including two terms on the Health Advisory Board for the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and was vice chair of the Corporate Executive Board of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Dr. Sohn has received numerous awards and honors, including the University of California, San Francisco (USCF), School of Pharmacy, Alumnus of the Year in 2000; the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Woman of the Year in 2003; and the Licensing Executive Society’s Frank Barnes Mentor Award in 2009.

She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the UCSF School of Pharmacy, a Certificate of Professional Development from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Licensing Professional (C.L.P.).

AP-1100 is a new biochemical therapy in hypertonic formulation designed to prevent damage to the major organs that typically occurs when severe blood loss and hemorrhagic shock exceeds the body’s ability to compensate.  The agreement provides for extensive preclinical research and will establish both an appropriate formulation of AP-1100 and proper drug delivery conditions for Phase I clinical trials.  This research will be conducted in the United States Army’s Ft. Sam Houston research facilities in San Antonio, TX.

“It is through collaborations like this CRADA that Ariel will be able to develop novel and innovative products,” said Steve Orndorff, president and CEO of Ariel.

This will be complementary to the ongoing basic research of AP-1100 being conducted at the University of Minnesota in Duluth and the University of Minnesota Medical Center in St. Paul, supported by approximately $4M of federal government support.

“These studies are very exciting because they continue to provide momentum behind the work and investment already done at the University of Minnesota,” commented Chad Beyer, Ph.D., MBA, vice president of research and development at Ariel.

AP-1100 provides B-hydroxybutyrate, a source of cellular energy, which generates more ATP than other substrates and requires less oxygen to metabolize than glucose.

Previous studies in animal models have shown that AP-1100 stabilizes organs, reduces oxidative stress, reperfusion injury and the buildup of toxic levels of lactic acid while sparing ATP energy production.

Ariel to File Investigational New Drug (IND) Application with FDA, Commence Clinical Trials in 2012

Broomfield, CO and Minneapolis, MN October 18, 2011 – Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private, specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products for acute central nervous system (CNS) diseases and trauma, announced today that it has in-licensed Tamiasyn™ (AP-1100) for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock from the University of Minnesota.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to further develop Tamiasyn and are confident the unique neuroprotective, cytoprotective and cardioprotective attributes of this product will be more effective than the resuscitation fluids currently available,” said Steve Orndorff, President and CEO of Ariel Pharmaceuticals.  “Given the dire patient need and the lack of any improvements in this field in more than 20 years, we’re dedicated to advancing Tamiasyn through commercialization as a treatment for hemorrhagic shock to provide patients with a better chance of survival.”

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of death in trauma patients worldwide, with primary causes including motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and gunshot wounds (GSW).  Approximately 80,000 people die from MVA and GSW each year in the U.S.  Estimates establish a global market in excess of $1 billion.

Tamiasyn is a new drug therapy in a proprietary, hypertonic formulation comprised of various therapeutic agents that readily cross the blood-brain barrier.  Administered intravenously to hemorrhaging patients and having demonstrated neuroprotective and cytoprotective efficacy, Tamiasyn is a significant improvement over current therapies that only improve oxygen availability or restore blood volume.

Studies at the University of Minnesota in trauma animal models have shown that Tamiasyn stabilizes organs, including the brain; reduces oxidative stress or damage to tissues; reduces reperfusion injury and reduces the buildup of toxic levels of lactic acid while sparing energy use such as ATP.

Lester R. Drewes, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Minnesota and a biomedical scientist, explained that, “Our preclinical research has shown that Tamiasyn (AP-1100) is effective when administered after hemorrhagic shock in both small and large animal models.  Therefore, Tamiasyn (AP-1100) could provide value in minimizing tissue and brain damage due to hemorrhagic shock in military combat, auto accidents or gunshot wounds where there is evidence of trauma.”

Tamiasyn has been tested for efficacy in treating small and large animals subjected to acute blood loss.  The results of a small animal model of hemorrhagic shock showed that administration of Tamiasyn significantly increased survival in rats subjected to 60% blood loss as compared to controls.  No significant difference in survival was found between Tamiasyn treated animals and sham operated animals that were not subjected to blood loss.

Ariel intends to file an IND application with the FDA and commence clinical trials in the second half of 2012.

About Hemorrhagic Shock

Hemorrhagic shock occurs when blood loss exceeds the body’s ability to compensate, leading to vascular collapse, inadequate vital organ perfusion, insufficient oxygenation and lack of nutrients necessary for normal cellular function.  According to the National Center for Health Statistics, hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of death in trauma patients worldwide, with primary causes including motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and gunshot wounds (GSW).  Approximately 80,000 people die from MVA and GSW each year in the U.S. 

Dr. Perry B. Molinoff Appointed Independent Director to Board of Directors

Dr. Stanton Newman Named Chairman of Scientific Advisory Board

Broomfield, CO, October 3, 2011 – Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private, specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products for acute central nervous system (CNS) diseases and trauma, announced today that Perry B. Molinoff, M.D., has been appointed as independent director of its board of directors and Professor Stanton Newman, Ph.D., has joined as chairman of the company’s scientific advisory board.

“Drs. Molinoff and Newman are tremendous additions to the Ariel team, and we look forward to leveraging their extensive expertise to enable Ariel to advance its CNS-focused therapeutic programs, including AP-1531, a novel drug for the treatment of acute migraine,” said Steve Orndorff, president and CEO of Ariel Pharmaceuticals.  “We’re confident that with their guidance we’ll be able to successfully expedite our clinical development program and bring value to our shareholders.”

Dr. Perry Molinoff has more than 30 years experience in both academic and industrial sectors encompassing research on the molecular pharmacology of receptors and signal recognition and drug development from preclinical through clinical stages of commercialization.  He is currently a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania.  He chaired the Department between 1981 and 1995.

Dr. Molinoff has also held several leadership positions in large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.  He was vice president of neuroscience and genitourinary drug discovery for the Bristol-Meyers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute from 1995 to 2000.  From 2000 to 2003, he served as executive vice president of R&D at Palatin Technologies.  Between 2003 and 2006 he was Vice Provost for Research at the University of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Molinoff has served on the boards of both public and private biotechnology companies, including Cypress Bioscience and Palatin Technologies.

Dr. Molinoff has authored or edited six books, including two editions of Basic Neurochemistry, the 9th edition of Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics and more than 230 manuscripts.  Dr. Molinoff earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University and completed house officer’s training at the University of Chicago’s Hospitals and Clinics.

Dr. Molinoff remarked, “Ariel Pharmaceuticals has assembled a highly talented group of executives and advisors to ensure that opportunities for the company’s groundbreaking science are maximized.  I greatly look forward to working with the highly accomplished individuals, including Dr. Stanton Newman, the newly appointed chairman of the scientific advisory board.”

Professor Stanton Newman, Ariel’s scientific advisory board chairman, was trained in neuropsychology in the U.S. and in clinical psychology in the UK.  He is currently Dean of the School of Health Sciences at City University London where he heads the widely acclaimed interdisciplinary Health Services Research Group.

Dr. Newman has a specialist interest in cardiovascular disease, outcomes of cardiac surgery and interventions to encourage patients’ behavior change.  Dr. Newman previously led the Brain and Cardiac Surgery Group at University College London, which has an international reputation for its work on the impact of cardiac surgery on the brain and strategies to reduce neuropsychological complications.

Dr. Newman is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and an Honorable Member of the Royal College of Physicians and has published widely in a range of medical and psychology journals with over 250 papers and chapters to date and has co-authored 10 books, including The Brain and Cardiac Surgery: Causes of Neurological Complications and Their Prevention.  

Dr. Newman commented, “Ariel’s focus on conditions of the brain and nervous system is particularly well-suited to my expertise in neuropsychology and clinical trials.  I welcome the opportunity to apply my experience to advancing the company’s pharmaceutical programs.”

About Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc:

Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a private, specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of drugs that improve quality of life for patients with acute neurological disorders and trauma.  Ariel is developing three drugs intended to meet unmet medical needs in migraine, hemorrhagic shock and post-operative cognitive decline.  The company’s business strategy is based on in-licensing clinic-ready drugs in acute care clinical indications that have well-defined efficacy endpoints and substantial commercial opportunity to enable Ariel to rapidly build shareholder value.  For more information, please visit: www.arielpharma.com

Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Steve Orndorff, PhD

President & CEO

sorndorff@arielpharma.com

Media Contact:

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.

(212) 827-0020

Andrew Mielach

amielach@tiberend.com

or

Jason Rando

jrando@tiberend.com

Newly-Founded Company to Focus on Addressing Significant Medical Needs in Central Nervous System Diseases and Trauma

Broomfield, CO, September 21, 2011 – Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private, specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products for acute central nervous system (CNS) diseases and trauma, announced today that it has in-licensed its lead product, AP-1531, for the treatment of acute migraine attacks, from the specialist healthcare company BTG International Ltd (LSE: BGC).

While the precise cause of migraines is not fully understood, changes in vascular tone and inflammatory processes appear to be key contributing factors.  Prostaglandins are naturally existing molecules that are integral components of both vascular and inflammatory reactions in the central and peripheral nervous systems.   There is evidence to demonstrate that prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) binding to the EP4 receptor causes dilation of small blood vessels in the brain, while leaving coronary and pulmonary arteries unaffected, and can stimulate a variety of inflammatory mechanisms.  AP-1531 is a potent and selective EP4 receptor antagonist that specifically targets PGE₂-EP4 binding which may treat migraines.  AP-1531 has shown promising results  in several disease models of migraine and acute pain and inflammation.

“We are extremely pleased with the data from six Phase I studies on AP-1531 and are confident this approach will yield positive results as we initiate a Phase 2 study in migraine patients in 2012,” said Steve Orndorff, President and CEO of Ariel Pharmaceuticals.  “Given that the current standard of care for moderate to severe migraines can take up to 90 minutes to provide relief and works temporarily or not at all in many patients, in addition to having potentially serious side effects, we’re committed to developing a safer and more efficacious alternative that will provide better quality care to patients.  We believe AP-1531 will validate our business model of in-licensing clinic-ready drugs in acute care clinical indications to expeditiously build value for our shareholders.”

Episodic migraine headaches affect more than 10% of the world population and are among the top four disabling neurological conditions.  Migraines account for an estimated 30 million days of lost productivity at a cost of up to $17 billion per year in the U.S.  Almost half of migraine patients suffer severe pain and require bed rest.  Currently, the most common migraine therapies are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and triptans (5-HTIB/1D agonists).  Shortcomings of these drugs include failure to work in a significant percentage of patients, slow speed of activity, recurrence of pain and potentially debilitating side effects, including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxicity.

About Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a private, specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of drugs that improve quality of life for patients with acute neurological disorders and trauma.  Ariel is developing three drugs intended to meet unmet medical needs in migraine, hemorrhagic shock and post-operative cognitive decline.  The company’s business strategy is based on in-licensing clinic-ready drugs in acute care clinical indications that have well-defined efficacy endpoints and where there is little to no competition in order to enable Ariel to rapidly build shareholder value.  For more information, please visit: www.arielpharma.com

Ariel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Steve Orndorff, PhD

President & CEO

sorndorff@arielpharma.com

Media Contact:

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.

(212) 827-0020

Andrew Mielach

amielach@tiberend.com

or

Jason Rando

jrando@tiberend.com