SLx-4090, A Novel Intestine-Selective MTP Inhibitor, Shown to Lower
  Triglyceride Levels while Avoiding Unwanted Hepatic Toxicity Side Effects

    BOSTON, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Surface Logix today announced it will be
presenting, on November 1st, preclinical results on SLx-4090, the Company's
novel, Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTP) inhibitor for
dyslipidemia and obesity at the 70th Annual American College of
Gastroenterology, Scientific Meeting being held in Honolulu.  Surface Logix's
preclinical studies have shown that SLx-4090 acts selectively in the
gastrointestinal tract (GI) to prevent the transport of triglycerides through
the intestinal wall.  SLx-4090 does not pass into systemic circulation, thus
eliminating systemic exposure and resultant liver toxicity -- a persistent
complication associated with compounds of this class
    "In SLx-4090, we have accomplished something many large pharmaceutical
companies have failed to demonstrate.  Using our Pharmacomer(TM) Technology
Platform, we specifically designed SLx-4090 to act selectively in the GI
tract. Our preclinical data indicate that SLx-4090 lowers dietary triglyceride
levels as intended, but has no detectable impact on the liver or liver
function," notes Dr. Paul Sweetnam, Chief Scientific Officer.  "Based on this
promising preclinical package, we expect to enter clinical development with
SLx-4090 in early 2006."

    About SLx-4090, Dyslipidemia and Obesity
    SLx-4090 is a novel Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTP)
inhibitor being developed for the treatment of dyslipidemia and obesity.
Surface Logix designed SLx-4090 using its proprietary small molecule
Pharmacomer(TM) Technology to act specifically in the GI tract to prevent the
transport of triglycerides through the intestinal wall. This unique feature of
intestinal selectivity allows activity against triglyceride uptake while
avoiding toxicity at other sites of MTP expression including the liver, heart,
testis, ovary, and eye. SLx-4090 is expected to lead to reduced fat absorption
in the GI tract and thus to promote weight loss. It is also expected that the
lack of hepatic side effects with SLx-4090 will lead to better patient
compliance.
    Dyslipidemia currently affects approximately 10% of the global population.
There is an increasing prevalence and medical need for lipid-modifying drugs
in obese and type 2 diabetic patients. A high proportion of type 2 diabetic
patients have abnormal concentrations of lipoproteins. In the US, Japan and
Europe there are more than 240 million people with abnormal lipoprotein
levels. Of these, more than 55 million have low high density lipoprotein (HDL)
and/or high triglyceride levels.
    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2
out of 3 US adults are overweight or obese, suggesting that roughly 129
million people are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart
disease, some forms of cancer and other disabling medical conditions.
Prevention of fat absorption has been established as an effective adjunct to
dietary control of obesity.

    About Surface Logix Inc.
    Surface Logix Inc. uses its expertise in biophysical chemistry to create
new small molecule drugs that are optimized to meet the challenges of human
physiology. The company is advancing multiple internal programs focused
primarily on cardiovascular disease, oncology and metabolic disorders and
works with strategic partners to create differentiated new chemical entities.

    Contact:
    David H. Donabedian, Ph.D.
    Vice President, Business Development
    617.746.8520

    Media:
    Kari Watson
    MacDougall Biomedical Communications Inc.
    508.647.0209

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