Erasto Saldi, MD Appointed to Samaritan's Board of Directors

		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

LAS VEGAS, May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SPHC) and Samaritan Research Labs, Georgetown University, announced today that Dr. Erasto Saldi has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Dr. Saldi has extensive experience as an Internist, Principal Investigator and manager of clinical research trials. "Dr. Saldi's experience in writing protocols, scientific and clinical research management, with drugs such as Clonidine in the Philippines, brings a unique perspective in areas that are of considerable importance to Samaritan right now," commented Dr. Janet Greeson, Chairman, President and CEO of Samaritan. "We feel grateful for his willingness to join our management team, participating in our FDA committee meetings, future protocol design and clinical trial management." Dr. Saldi will complete the term of Paul Burkett, who as a founding Director of Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, has resigned to assume a position on Samaritan's Business Advisory Board. "Paul has been one of our strongest advocates," continued Chairman Dr. Greeson, "he has made countless contributions to Samaritan, and we look forward to his continued support." (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030129/SPHCLOGO ) About Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with Georgetown University, is a biopharmaceutical company driven to commercialize superior new drugs that improve quality of life and the overall health of suffering patients. Compelling technology, that has shaped Samaritan's pipeline growth and has the potential to add to the financial prosperity of our shareholders, include, "significant" positive results for its HIV FDA/Phase II clinical trial; an Alzheimer's rat model to test new drugs; an Alzheimer's Theragnostic; a Breast Cancer Theragnostic; a Cholesterol binding Peptide; and promising new neuroprotective drugs for memory loss and Alzheimer's. 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 May 15, 2003. The company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements. For further information, please contact: Gene Boyle, Business Development, cell, +1-702-499-8652, GeneBoyle@aol.com, or Doug Bessert, Investor Relations, DougBessert@aol.com, both of Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-702-735-7001, or fax, +1-702-737-7016. To receive future press releases and newsletters automatically, or for more information, visit our Web site at http://www.samaritanpharmaceuticals.com .