Genencor Chairman Joins NeurogesX Board; Genencor Chairman and CEO Jean-Jacques Bienaime Joins Board of Neuropathic Pain Company

Business Wire, March 9, 2004

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2004

NeurogesX, Inc., an emerging pharmaceutical company initially focused on novel treatments for neuropathic pain, today announced the addition of Jean-Jacques Bienaime, Chairman, CEO and President of Genencor International, to its board of directors. Bienaime is a veteran biotechnology executive with over 25 years of management experience with global companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. At Genencor, he has overseen the record growth of the company's core Bioproducts and helped refocus Genencor's emerging health care effort in therapeutic vaccines and targeted cancer therapies. Prior to Genencor, Bienaime had been with SangStat (Nasdaq:SANG) from 1998 to 2002, where he served as chairman, president and chief executive officer. While there, he managed revenue growth from $4 million to over $100 million and guided SangStat to profitability.

"We are pleased to have someone with JJ's wealth of experience join our board," said Anthony A. DiTonno, CEO and President of NeurogesX. "JJ's success in bringing products to market will be extremely valuable as we prepare our first pain treatment product, NGX-4010, for the market."

"NeurogesX is in a unique position to deliver a new approach to treating neuropathic pain that is potentially more effective for patients and more convenient for physicians," Bienaime said. "I'm pleased to be a part of such a promising organization that combines strong management experience, excellent science and a product pipeline that may change the way the health care system treats neuropathic pain."

Prior to SangStat, Bienaime was senior vice president of corporate marketing and business development at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals (now Aventis), a $6 billion business, where he was responsible for worldwide marketing, medical affairs strategy, licensing and business development. Prior to that position, Bienaime was vice president and general manager of RPR's advanced therapeutic and oncology division. Other highlights of his career include five years at Genentech where he was director of marketing, Cardiopulmonary Products.

Bienaime is a member of the board of directors of Aerogen Inc., and the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. He received a MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate degree in economics from the Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris.

The NeurogesX board now consists of Anthony A. DiTonno (NeurogesX CEO), Jean-Jacques Bienaime (Genencor Chairman), Alix Marduel, MD (Alta Partners), Robert Nelsen (ARCH Ventures), Gary Stroy (Entrepreneur/Pharmaceutical Executive), Dr. Juerg Eckhardt (Global Lifescience Ventures) and Daniel K. Turner, III (Montreux Equity).

About NeurogesX

NeurogesX (neur-o-GEE-six) is a privately-held, emerging pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of novel treatments for improved relief of chronic pain and improved quality of life for pain patients, using advanced neuroscience insights and innovative delivery technologies. The company's initial products are focused on the treatment of neuropathic pain.

NeurogesX has raised approximately $65 million in total equity investments since its first equity financing round in June 2000. Investors in NeurogesX include Alta Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, Diamond Capital Management, Global Life Science Ventures, Healthcare Focus Fund, Montreux Equity Partners, TIAA-CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association), University of North Carolina, Walden International Venture Partners, and others. For more information about NeurogesX, go to www.NeurogesX.com.

NeurogesX is a trademark of NeurogesX, Inc.

All other trademarks and registered trademarks are those of their respective companies.