Myriad Genetics Presents Phase I Results at International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease

Flurizan Safe and Well Tolerated in Healthy Older Volunteer Study

SALT LAKE CITY, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MYGN), presented new clinical trial data on its investigational Alzheimer's disease drug candidate, Flurizan™ (R-flurbiprofen, MPC-7869), at the Ninth International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders in Philadelphia, PA [Poster session P2, July 19, 2004, 12:30 - 2:45pm].

Dr. Edward H. Koo, M.D., Professor of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego presented results from a study of the safety and tolerability following 21-day administration of Flurizan in healthy elderly volunteers. The results were drawn from Myriad's Phase I randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of Flurizan. The trial enrolled 48 people between the ages of 55 and 80 years, in four cohorts, which were studied over a three-week course of daily dosing with Flurizan. The first cohort was given 400mg daily, the second cohort 800mg, the third 1600mg and the fourth, a placebo. Dr. Koo reported that no serious adverse events were observed in any of the cohorts. These data complement the safety record established with Flurizan to date in three other completed trials among healthy individuals and patients.

In this trial designed to evaluate the safety of Flurizan, there were not only no serious adverse events, there were no dropouts from the trial due to any adverse event. The number and nature of adverse events collected was not significantly different between the treated groups or those on placebo. Specifically, no difference was observed between any of the groups in reports of adverse gastrointestinal events.

"We are very pleased that the results of this trial in older volunteers mirrors our experience with Flurizan in other human clinical trial settings, providing further evidence that Flurizan is safe and well-tolerated," said Adrian Hobden, Ph.D., President of Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The safety profile appears well-suited to use with an Alzheimer's disease population."

Summary of Trial Results

Flurizan (R-flurbiprofen, MPC-7869) was safe and well tolerated in healthy older volunteers when administered in doses of up to 1600 mg/day for 21 days.

Current Development Status of Flurizan

Further to the trial discussed today, Myriad's drug candidate, Flurizan, is being investigated in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, three arm Phase II trial to assess efficacy among approximately 200 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in the United Kingdom and Canada. This trial is scheduled to complete its one-year term of study in the first calendar quarter of 2005.

Flurizan is not a Cyclooxygenase (COX) Inhibitor

Historically, chronic users of certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, long-term use of NSAIDs, especially at higher doses, are limited by the occurrence of NSAID-induced ulcers. Regular use of NSAIDs is the second leading cause for ulcers, resulting in over 100,000 hospitalizations and approximately 16,500 deaths annually in the U.S. from ulcer-related complications, according to studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

NSAIDs inhibit the COX enzyme. In contrast, by isolating the R-enantiomer from its mirror twin S-enantiomer, Flurizan retains the amyloid lowering ability that is a property of a subset of these drugs without their accompanying COX inhibition and related ulcer-causing effects. To date, studies suggest that Flurizan may treat Alzheimer's disease without causing ulcers and other side effects.

This study was funded in part by NIH grant AG20206 to Edward H. Koo, M.D.

About Myriad

Myriad Genetics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel healthcare products. The Company develops and markets predictive medicine products, and is developing and intends to market therapeutic products. Myriad's news and other information are available on the Company's Web site at www.myriad.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the safety profile of Flurizan and its suitability for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and the expected completion of a Phase II trial for Flurizan in the first calendar quarter of 2005. These forward looking statements are based on management's current expectation and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth or implied by forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to the extent of future government regulation of Myriad Genetics' business; uncertainties as to whether Myriad Genetics and its collaborators will be successful in developing, and obtaining regulatory approval for, and commercial acceptance of, therapeutic compounds; the risk that markets will not exist for therapeutic compounds that Myriad Genetics develops or if such markets exist, that Myriad Genetics will not be able to sell compounds, which it develops, at acceptable prices; and the risk that the Company will not be able to sustain revenue growth for its predictive medicine business and products. These and other risks are identified in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003. All information in this press release is as of July 20, 2004, and Myriad undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

SOURCE Myriad Genetics, Inc.
CONTACT: William A. Hockett, Vice President of Corporate Communications, +1-801-584-3600, bhockett@myriad.com

Web site: http://www.myriad.com