Neuromed Appoints Dr. William L. Hunter as Chairman of the Board of Directors

Press Release- Vancouver, BC - July 9, 2007 - Neuromed Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company developing new and improved chronic pain drugs, announced today that Dr. William L. Hunter has been appointed Chairman of Neuromed's Board of Directors. Dr. Hunter is co-founder and President and CEO of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and has served as a Director on Neuromed's Board since 2004. "Dr. Hunter's expertise in successfully commercializing multiple products and building Angiotech from the ground up to a global company with 1,700 employees will be very valuable to Neuromed as we enter a pivotal stage in our development," said Dr. Christopher Gallen, President & CEO of Neuromed. "Neuromed is developing three valuable pain programs including a Phase 3 extended release formulation of hydromorphone, a first-in-class oral N-type calcium channel blocker and T-type calcium channel blockers. Retaining the best talent, including attracting accomplished board members like Dr. Hunter, will help to ensure that we are able to exploit the full potential of our programs."

Mr. Darrell Elliott, who has served on Neuromed's Board of Directors since 2000, most recently as Chairman, has stepped down. Neuromed extends its appreciation to Mr. Elliott for his contribution during his tenure as Chairman. Neuromed is also pleased to announce that its founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Terrance Snutch, is the recipient of an honorary degree from Simon Fraser University. Dr. Snutch received the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, at Simon Fraser University's June 2007 convocation ceremony. The Simon Fraser University Doctor of Science honorary degree is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in science, engineering science, computing science or medicine.

About Neuromed Neuromed is a privately held biopharmaceutical company in business to develop new and improved pain medicines. We have three programs aimed at addressing this important unmet medical need. Neuromed acquired the U.S. marketing rights to OROS(r) Hydromorphone, a Phase 3 once-daily form of hydromorphone. Hydromorphone is a potent and widely-used pain reliever which is currently short-acting and therefore requires several doses a day. Neuromed is also developing oral drug candidates to block N-type calcium channels, a new and important target directly involved in pain signaling. Our third program of T-type calcium channel blockers is producing promising compounds aimed at treating pain, epilepsy and hypertension. For more information visit www.neuromed.com <http://www.neuromed.com/> .