GATTEX(TM) Abstracts to be Presented at ACG Meeting; 52-Week Data from Phase 3 Clinical Trial Scheduled for Plenary Session

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: NPSP) today reported that three abstracts summarizing data from the company’s Phase 3 studies of GATTEX™ (teduglutide) in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) were accepted for presentation at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course in Orlando, Florida, October 3-8, 2008, including an oral presentation of 52-week data from the Phase 3 study of GATTEX™ in SBS patients. The abstract titles and presentation times are summarized below.

Plenary Session

"Treatment Out to 1 Year with a GLP-2 Analog, Teduglutide, Safely Reduces Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Needs in PN-Dependent Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) Patients” by R. Gilroy et al. will be presented on October 8, 2008.

Poster Sessions

"Teduglutide, a GLP-2 Analog Enhances Intestinal Structure in Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) Patients Dependent of Parenteral Nutrition (PN)” by K. Tappenden et al. will be presented on October 5, 2008.

"Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Correlation Between Teduglutide, an Analog of GLP-2, and Citrulline, a Biomarker of Small Intestinal Enterocyte Functional Mass in Short Bowel Patients” by B. Messing et al. will be presented on October 7, 2008.

The ACG preliminary program is available online and can be accessed at www.acg.gi.org/acgmeetings/.

About GATTEX™ (teduglutide)

GATTEX (teduglutide) is a proprietary analog of human glucagon-like peptide 2 that stimulates the repair and regeneration of cells lining the intestine. GATTEX is in Phase 3 clinical development to reduce dependence on parenteral nutrition (PN) in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). NPS has reported positive findings from recently completed studies in which GATTEX demonstrated a favorable safety profile and significant reductions in mean PN volume from pretreatment baseline were observed. NPS is also advancing preclinical studies to evaluate teduglutide as a possible treatment for gastrointestinal mucositis, a complication of certain cancer treatments, and gastrointestinal disorders that affect premature infants, including pediatric SBS.

About Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS)

SBS is a highly disabling condition that impairs quality of life and can lead to serious life-threatening complications. SBS typically arises after extensive resection of the bowel. There are an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 SBS patients in North America who are dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN), the cost of which can exceed $100,000 annually per patient. SBS patients suffer from malnutrition, severe diarrhea, dehydration, fatigue, osteopenia, and weight loss due to an inability to absorb adequate amounts of nutrients and water. The goals of current treatment are to maintain fluid, electrolytes and nutrient balances through dietary management, including the use of PN. Long-term complications of the condition may include an increased risk of systemic infections due to the presence of an intravenous feeding line, degenerative changes in the bones and nerves due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and liver failure. Potential benefits derived from reduced dependence on intravenous feeding may include improved nutrition, lower rates of infections, and improved quality of life due to more time away from intravenous feeding, which may provide greater mobility and improved sleep. More information about SBS is available on the website http://www.shortbowel.com.

About NPS Pharmaceuticals

NPS Pharmaceuticals is developing specialty therapeutics for gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders with high-unmet medical needs. The company is currently advancing two late-stage programs. Teduglutide, a proprietary analog of glucagon-like peptide-2, is in Phase 3 clinical development for intestinal failure associated with short bowel syndrome as GATTEX™ and in preclinical development for gastrointestinal mucositis and pediatric gastrointestinal conditions. NPSP558 (parathyroid hormone 1-84 [rDNA origin] injection) is in Phase 2 clinical development as a hormone therapy for hypoparathyroidism. NPS complements its proprietary programs with a royalty-based portfolio of products and product candidates that includes strategic partnerships with Amgen, GlaxoSmithKline, Kirin, and Nycomed. Additional information is available at http://www.npsp.com.

"NPS” and "NPS Pharmaceuticals” are the company’s registered trademarks. All other trademarks, trade names or service marks appearing in this press release are the property of their respective owners.

Statements made in this press release, which are not historical in nature, constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the company's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks associated to NPS’s business include, but are not limited to, the risk of not successfully executing its preclinical and clinical studies and not gaining marketing approvals for GATTEX product candidates, as well as other factors expressed in NPS’s periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and Form 10-Qs. All information in this press release is as of the date of this release and NPS undertakes no duty to update this information.