Samaritan Alzheimer's Technology Highlighted in BioPeople Magazine

		SAMARITAN PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATE LOGO Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with Georgetown University, develops and strives to commercialize scientific breakthrough innovations for: Alzheimer's (AD) Drugs, to inhibit glucocorticoid-mediated neurotoxicity, an Animal Model to test AD drugs, an AD Diagnostic; a Breast Cancer Diagnostic; a peptide to bind Cholesterol and a late stage Phase II statistically significant HIV drug. Samaritan's patented pipeline is built on a, cholesterol-metabolism and glucocorticoid-biosynthesis, technology platform which is scientifically considered to be a successful therapeutic approach. (PRNewsFoto)[AS] LAS VEGAS, NV USA

Therapy Focus-Alzheimer's Disease New Treatment Possibilities LAS VEGAS, March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SPHC) and Samaritan Research Labs, Georgetown University, announced today that its Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos was interviewed and featured in BioPeople Magazine-Therapy Focus, written by Allis Kane. In the article, Allis Kane investigates current research approaches in the search for a cure of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, and is the most common form of dementia. BioPeople Spring 2003 Excerpt regarding Samaritan and Stem Cells: "The team of Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos made a fortuitous discovery that could potentially regenerate dormant stem cells in the brain. He is CSO of Samaritan Pharmaceuticals and professor of cell biology, pharmacology and neuroscience at Georgetown University, both based in Washington, DC. The discovery was made while his group was investigating the effect of a series of cholesterol derivatives on neural stem cells. 'We used the cells as a human model for beta-amyloid neuroprotection and we found that some of the compounds are not only neuroprotective in terms of beta-amyloid toxicity but in two weeks will induce the differentiation of stem cells into adult neurons.' Papadopoulos explains that this is a significant advantage over retinoic acid, currently used for the maturation of stem cells, which is toxic in vivo, and takes several months. 'Now we have a tool that not only protects against beta-amyloid toxicity in the brain, but also switches on a mechanism in the few stem cells that exist in the human brain to make them differentiate into adult cells to replace, potentially, the neurons which have died,' he says. Similar to Rhoades' suggestion that manipulation of neurotrophin targets could promote both survival and regeneration, Samaritan's discovery has a two-fold potential. When testing the steroid series, Papadopoulos came across an important problem facing researchers in the field. Animal models of the disease, such as the transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's, are not accurate analogues of the human disease. Papadopoulos says: 'Transgenic mice for Alzheimer's disease have a few problems. First of all you need a year to two years to develop the plaques, secondly (the mice) don't really lose their memory, and thirdly their neurons never die.' Research on the drug series was shelved temporarily while the teams looked for alternative animal models. They believe that they have now got a rat model that is much more representative of the human disease and the company is currently looking to secure the intellectual property rights to the discovery. With this hurdle overcome, Papadopoulos says his group has begun to assess the efficacy of its potential treatments." (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030129/SPHCLOGO ) About Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with Georgetown University, strives to commercialize breakthrough scientific innovation. Samaritan is primarily focused on the development of innovative therapies for Alzheimer's, Cancer, Cholesterol Reduction and HIV. The science, that separates Samaritan's patented pipeline, closest to commercialization includes: a completed HIV Phase II trial with positive significant data; an Animal (rat) model used to test Alzheimer's drugs; an Alzheimer's (Predictor) Diagnostic and Breast Cancer (Tumor Aggressiveness) Diagnostic; a Peptide that binds cholesterol; and a series of innovative neuroprotective compounds. Disclaimer The company disclaims any information that is created by an outside party and endorses only information that is communicated by its press releases, filings and Web site. This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current beliefs about the potential for its drug candidates, science and technology. However, as with any biopharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks and uncertainties in the process of development and regulatory review. There are no guarantees that products will prove to be commercially successful. For additional information about the factors that affect the company's business, please read the company's latest Form 10-K filed April 26, 2002. The company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements. Contact: Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 702/735-7001, Fax 702/737-7016 Gene Boyle, Business Development, Email GeneBoyle@aol.com Doug Bessert, Investor Relations, Email DougBessert@aol.com To receive future press releases and newsletters automatically, or for more information, visit our Web site at http://www.samaritanpharmaceuticals.com .