Chelsea Therapeutics to Present Data Demonstrating Efficacy of CH-4051 in Rat Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model at EULAR 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 11, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. (Nasdaq:CHTP - News) announced that a poster highlighting data from the Company's preclinical study of CH-4051, a metabolically inert antifolate, in a Collagen Induced Arthritis (CIA) model will be presented at the 10th Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) on Saturday, June 13, 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

A poster entitled, "Efficacy of a Novel Antifolate CH-4051 in a Rat Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model," will detail the results of Chelsea's preclinical study showing CH-4051 to have superior efficacy to methotrexate in delaying the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, significantly decreasing the severity and, at certain doses, completely blocking all development of the disease.

Following presentation at the meeting, the full poster will be available on Chelsea's website at www.chelseatherapeutics.com.

About CH-4051

CH-4051 is the L-isomer of CH-1504 and second drug candidate from Chelsea's portfolio of orally bioavailable, non-metabolized antifolates. Both compounds potently inhibit enzymes required for cell proliferation, but, due to the lack of metabolism, appear to be devoid of the toxicities related to the formation of metabolites that are believed to play a significant role in the liver and kidney toxicities associated with long-term use of MTX. In a recent Phase II trial, CH-1504 demonstrated comparable efficacy and suggested enhanced safety and tolerability compared to methotrexate, currently the leading antifolate treatment and standard of care for a broad range of abnormal cell proliferation diseases. Recent Phase I data suggests CH-4051 retains the superior safety and tolerability profile of CH-1504 while preclinical data suggests both an enhanced potency compared to CH-1504 and significant superiority to methotrexate. Diseases that may potentially benefit from the compound include RA, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and other immunological disorders.

About Chelsea Therapeutics

Chelsea Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical development company that acquires and develops innovative products for the treatment of a variety of human diseases. Chelsea's most advanced drug candidate, Droxidopa, is an orally active synthetic precursor of norepinephrine initially being developed for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Currently approved and marketed in Japan for the treatment of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, freezing gait in Parkinson's disease and intradialytic hypotension, Droxidopa has accumulated over 15 years of proven safety and efficacy, historically generating annual revenues of approximately $50 million in Japan. In addition to Droxidopa, Chelsea is also developing a portfolio of metabolically inert oral antifolate molecules engineered to have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity to treat a range of immunological disorders, including two clinical stage product candidates: CH-1504 and CH-4051. Preclinical and clinical data suggests superior safety and tolerability, as well as increased potency versus methotrexate (MTX), currently the leading antifolate treatment and standard of care for a broad range of abnormal cell proliferation diseases including RA.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These statements are just predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include our need to raise operating capital, our history of losses, risks and costs of drug development, risk of regulatory approvals, our reliance on our lead drug candidates droxidopa and CH-1504, reliance on collaborations and licenses, intellectual property risks, competition, market acceptance for our products if any are approved for marketing, reliance on key personnel including specifically Dr. Pedder.

Chelsea Therapeutics:
Nick Riehle, Chief Financial Officer
704-341-1516 x101
Kathryn McNeil, Investor/Media Relations
718-788-2856