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Xechem Receives $473,181 SBIR Grant From NIH-NHLBI to Conduct Toxicity Studies of 5-HMF Compound
Wednesday October 4, 6:30 am ET

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xechem International, Inc. (OTC BB: XKEM - News) announced today that it has received a SBIR grant in the amount of $473,181 from the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH-NHLBI) to carry out the toxicity studies on the five-membered heterocyclic anti-sickling compound known as 5-HMF. Researchers from both Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), University of Pennsylvania are expected to participate in the 5-HMF trials.

As previously reported, Xechem acquired the exclusive worldwide rights for 5-HMF in December 2005 under a license agreement with VCU and on May 26th, 2006, Xechem was successful in obtaining Orphan Drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the drug. Research led by Dr. Donald Abraham of VCU has shown 5-HMF to be "the best potential anti-sickling agent in 30 years of sickle cell research," performed by his group. 5-HMF not only is a natural product with very little, if any, toxicity, but it has a high affinity for sickle cell hemoglobin. It is also very active in genetically modified mice as shown by Dr. Toshio Asakura, and his colleagues at the NIH-NHLBI Sickle Cell Disease Reference Laboratory at CHOP.

According to Xechem's Chairman and CEO, Dr. Ramesh Pandey, "We are very pleased to have received this significant grant to fund the toxicity studies of 5-HMF, which has shown great promise as a new type of anti-sickling agent that interacts specifically with intracellular hemoglobin without interacting with other proteins in the body. The grant award will allow us to immediately move forward on the 5-HMF front as we continue with our ongoing efforts to expand our production capability for our first sickle cell drug (NICOSAN(TM)), which was launched in Nigeria on July 6th, 2006."

5-HMF is a single compound which, subject to further testing and trials, could be effective for intravenous and/or oral use in the fight against Sickle Cell Disease. Previously, the Company acquired the exclusive worldwide license from the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Ministry of Health, Federal Government of Nigeria, for the research, development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of NICOSAN(TM)/HEMOXIN(TM), an all Natural Herbal Drug (phyto-pharmaceutical) that was launched in Nigeria on July 6th, 2006.

About Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder caused by an abnormality in the hemoglobin molecule. Patients with the disease often produce stiff, abnormally shaped red blood cells that often do not flow freely through the blood vessels. This can create clogs in the vessels, which in turn can cut off the flow of normal hemoglobin and oxygen to parts of the body, and can cause severe painful attacks or "crises", damage to various organs and shortened life spans. People with SCD often suffer unpredictable painful crises several times a year lasting from a few hours to a week or more. In the US, there are approximately 80,000 patients with SCD. In Nigeria, that number is believed to be approximately 4 million, with an estimated 10 - 12 million sufferers throughout the African continent. Worldwide, at least 16 million individuals are believed to be afflicted with SCD.

About Xechem

Xechem International is a development stage biopharmaceutical company working on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), antimalarials, and antiviral (including AIDS), anticancer, antifungal and antibacterial products from natural sources, including microbial and marine organisms. Its focus is on the development of phyto-pharmaceuticals (Natural Herbal Drugs) and other proprietary technologies, including those used in the treatment of orphan diseases. Xechem's mission is to bring relief to the millions of people who suffer from these diseases. Its recent focus and resources have been directed primarily toward the development and launch of NICOSAN(TM) (named HEMOXIN(TM) in the US and Europe) for the prophylactic management of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). With the recent Nigerian regulatory approval of NICOSAN(TM), Xechem is now scaling-up the commercialization of the drug in Nigeria and making preparations for the pursuit of US FDA and European regulatory approval.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by safe harbors created hereby. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties.