Depression and obesity - DOV Pharmaceutical, Inc. Announces Successful Phase Ib Results For DOV 21,947

DOV Pharmaceutical,
Inc. ("DOV" or the "Company") (Pink Sheets: DOVP.PK) today announced Phase
Ib results for DOV 21,947, its lead triple reuptake inhibitor ("TRIP") for
the treatment of depression and obesity. Preliminary analysis of the study
results indicates DOV 21,947 was safe and well-tolerated at the doses
examined and produced a significant decline in plasma triglyceride levels.
The Company intends to initiate a Phase II study of DOV 21,947 for the
treatment of depression in the fourth quarter of this year.


"Prior studies with DOV 21,947 at up to 100 mg per day demonstrated the
safety and tolerability of this compound over dosing periods of up to ten
days. The goal of this Phase Ib study was to confirm DOV 21,947's safety
and tolerability over an eight-week period at escalating doses of up to 150
mg per day. These data give us added confidence in the drug's safety and
tolerability in preparation for our upcoming Phase II trial in patients
with major depressive disorder. The significant reductions in plasma
triglyceride levels observed during the conduct of this study are
consistent with preclinical evidence that DOV 21,947 is able to produce a
significant and sustained reduction in both triglyceride levels and body
weight in animal models of obesity. These findings underscore the
therapeutic versatility of triple reuptake inhibitors such as DOV 21,947,"
said Dr. Phil Skolnick, President and Chief Scientific Officer of DOV.



This double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase Ib study enrolled 46 male
and female subjects. Following a one-week placebo run-in, subjects received
either escalating daily doses of 50 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg of DOV 21,947 (31
subjects) or placebo (15 subjects), for a total of eight weeks. The study
demonstrated that DOV 21,947 was safe and well-tolerated in this dose range
with no reported serious adverse events. The proportion of patients with
treatment emergent adverse events was similar in the two treatment groups,
with 36% and 47% in the DOV 21,947 and the placebo treated group,
respectively. Reported adverse events with greater than 3% incidence in
both the DOV 21,947 and placebo treated arms included headache, nausea,
diarrhea and dizziness. No other reported adverse event with a greater than
5% incidence was observed in the DOV 21,947 treated subjects. The incidence
of subjects that dropped out of the study due to adverse events was 6.5%
and 13.3% in the DOV 21,947 and placebo treated group, respectively.



In addition, preliminary analysis of the clinical chemistry laboratory
data indicates that DOV 21,947 treated subjects had lowered plasma
triglyceride levels compared to placebo treated subjects (p








Although the exact mechanism is unclear, high triglyceride levels may
contribute to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or thickening of
the artery walls, which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and
heart disease. High triglyceride levels often accompany other conditions
known to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke as well, including
obesity and metabolic syndrome.



Eight Phase I studies have now been completed with DOV 21,947. The
double-blind, Phase II study scheduled for initiation later this year will
compare up to 100 mg per day of DOV 21,947 versus placebo in approximately
200 patients with major depressive disorder over a six-week treatment
period. The Company expects the results from this Phase II study will be
available in the fourth quarter of 2008.



DOV 21,947 is a TRIP that inhibits the reuptake of the
neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. A two-week trial
with a 100 mg daily dose of DOV 216,303, the parent compound of DOV 21,947,
produced a statistically significant reduction in Hamilton Depression
Rating Scales in a Phase II clinical trial in patients with major
depressive disorder. In animal models highly predictive of antidepressant
action, DOV 21,947 was more potent than Tofranil(R), a serotonin and
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and the selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors Prozac(R) and Celexa(R). Because of its ability to inhibit the
reuptake of the three neurotransmitters most closely linked to depression,
DOV 21,947 may be more effective and have a more rapid onset than other
antidepressants which inhibit the reuptake of one or two of these
neurotransmitters. This novel combination of properties in a single
molecule could provide a breakthrough in the treatment of depression. In
addition, at doses similar to those active in models predictive of
antidepressant action, DOV 21,947 produced a significant weight loss in two
animal models of diet-induced obesity. Such models of diet-induced obesity
are often used to predict the effectiveness of drugs to produce weight loss
in obese individuals.



About DOV



DOV is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery,
acquisition and development of novel drug candidates for central nervous
system disorders. The Company's product candidates address some of the
largest pharmaceutical markets in the world including depression, pain and
insomnia.



Cautionary Note



Statements in this press release that are not historical facts
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, each as amended. You can also identify forward-looking statements
by the following words: may, will, should, expect, intend, plan,
anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, continue or the negative
of these terms or other comparable terminology. We caution you that
forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and are simply
point-in-time estimates based on a combination of facts and factors
currently known by us about which we cannot be certain or even relatively
confident. Actual results or events will surely differ and may differ
materially from our forward-looking statements as a result of many factors,
some of which we may not be able to predict or may not be within our
control. Such factors may also materially adversely affect our ability to
achieve our objectives and to successfully develop and commercialize our
product candidates, including our ability to:



-- raise substantial additional capital in order to fund operations;



-- obtain and maintain all necessary patents, licenses and other
intellectual property rights;



-- demonstrate the safety and efficacy of product candidates at each stage
of development;



-- meet our development schedule for our product candidates, including
with respect to clinical trial initiation, enrollment and completion;



-- meet applicable regulatory standards and receive required regulatory
approvals on our anticipated time schedule or at all;



-- meet or require our partners to meet obligations and achieve milestones
under our license and other agreements;



-- maintain collaborations as required with pharmaceutical partners;



-- seek and evaluate strategic alternatives, including with respect to
collaborations and partnerships for certain of our development programs
and compounds; and



-- produce drug candidates in commercial quantities at reasonable costs
and compete successfully against other products and companies.



You should also refer to the risks discussed in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including those contained in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 that was
filed on March 30, 2007 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2007 that was filed on August 8, 2007. We qualify
all our forward- looking statements by these cautionary statements. Readers
should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We do
not undertake any obligation and do not intend to update any
forward-looking statement.


DOV Pharmaceutical, Inc.

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