BPA Biosante Pharmaceuticals

New Data Highlights Key Advantages of Antares Pharma's ATD(TM) Gel Technology When Compared to Transdermal Patches EXTON, Pa., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Antares Pharma, Inc. (AMEX:AIS), a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops and licenses drug delivery technology for the next generation lifestyle products sector, said today that new Phase II data on LibiGel(TM), a gel formulation of testosterone, being developed by BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX:BPA) highlighted key advantages of Antares Pharma's Advanced Transdermal Delivery (ATD(TM)) gel technology when compared with a transdermal testosterone patch delivery system. Phase II data on LibiGel(TM), as reported by Antares Pharma's licensee, BioSante, indicated minimal application site irritation in contrast to previous trials with a transdermal testosterone patch delivery system in which approximately 30 percent of subjects reported such reactions. Additionally, LibiGel(TM) produced testosterone blood levels within the normal range for pre-menopausal women and had a safety profile similar to that observed in the placebo group with no serious adverse effects observed. "Antares Pharma believes its proprietary ATD(TM) gel technology offers compelling advantages compared with transdermal patches, such as Intrinsa(R), and that these advantages include not only the lack of irritation associated with occlusion and response to adhesives but also cost, efficiency of delivery and cosmetic elegance," according to Antares Pharma's President and CEO, Jack E. Stover. Stover also added, "We believe that the data emerging from clinical trials of LibiGel(TM), while still early, confirm our expectations that LibiGel(TM) will compare favorably on all important dimensions." BioSante recently announced new Phase II clinical data on LibiGel(TM) that was presented before the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) Annual Meeting in Atlanta on October 30, 2004. Pursuant to its agreement with BioSante, Antares Pharma expects to receive milestone payments from BioSante at certain stages of development and royalties from end sales of LibiGel(TM) in North America. Importantly, also pursuant to this agreement, Antares Pharma has rights to the clinical data generated by BioSante to independently submit for regulatory approval and marketing the testosterone gel for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction in other territories, including Europe and Japan. Antares Pharma believes its proprietary ATD(TM) single and combination gels are safe, patient friendly, easy to use and highly attractive new methods of drug delivery. Antares Pharma's ATD(TM) gels utilize a combination of permeation enhancers and further bolster a pharmaceutical agent's ability to penetrate the skin. This new generation of product leads to a sustained plasma profile of the active agent without the irritation and cosmetic concerns often associated with patches. Presently, Antares Pharma markets, through its licensees, an ibuprofen gel for localized pain relief in 11 countries throughout the world and is currently evaluating entering markets in North America. In addition to its testosterone gel for women that has been licensed to BioSante in North America and other territories, Antares Pharma has also licensed to BioSante, in North America and other territories, an estradiol gel to treat hot flashes and vaginal atrophy (known as Bio-E-Gel(TM) in the U.S.) and a combination estradiol and progestin gel for hormone therapy that has also been licensed to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, B.V. Additionally, Antares Pharma is developing its own ATD(TM) oxybutynin gel for overactive bladder disorder, as well as other products. About Antares Pharma Antares Pharma is a specialty pharma company focused on the growing lifestyle products sector and committed to leveraging its multiple drug delivery platforms to add value to existing drugs and to create new products and devices. The Company's current technology platforms include its transdermal Advanced Transdermal Delivery (ATD(TM)) gels, fast-melt (Easy Tec(TM)) oral tablet technology, disposable mini-needle injection systems (Vibex(TM)), and reusable needle-free injection systems (VISION(R) and Valeo(TM)). The Company currently has active partnering programs with several pharmaceutical and distribution companies for a number of indications and applications, including diabetes, growth disorders, obesity, female sexual dysfunction and other hormone therapy. Antares Pharma currently distributes its needle-free injector systems in more than 20 countries and markets the same technology for use with human growth hormone through licensees in most major regions of the world. Licensees also market an ibuprofen gel using Antares Pharma's ATD(TM) technology in several major European countries. In addition, Antares Pharma is undertaking development or is conducting research on several product opportunities that will form the basis of its specialty pharma program. Antares Pharma's corporate headquarters is in Exton, Pennsylvania, with subsidiaries performing research, development, manufacturing and product commercialization activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Basel, Switzerland. Statements included in this press release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially and which are identified from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Antares Pharma claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For more information, visit Antares Pharma's web site at http://www.antarespharma.com/. Information included on the Company's website is not incorporated herein by reference or otherwise. DATASOURCE: Antares Pharma, Inc. CONTACT: Jack E. Stover, President and CEO, +1-610-458-6200, or Lawrence M. Christian, CFO and Vice President-Finance, +1-610-458-6200, both of Antares Pharma; or Steve Chizzik or Ira Weingarten of Equity Communications, +1-805-897-1880 Web site: http://www.antarespharma.com/

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