NEUROCHEM ANNOUNCES INITIATION OF ALZHEMED TRIAL

Neurochem will initiate an 18-month open-label extension study for its ongoing North American Phase III clinical trial for Alzhemed (tramiprosate), its investigational product candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. All patients who complete the Phase III clinical trial will be offered the opportunity to receive Alzhemed in an open-label extension study. This study will be initiated in the second quarter of 2006.

Neurochem is currently conducting a double-blind, randomized, placebo- controlled 18-month Phase III clinical trial in 1,052 mild-to-moderate AD patients which is being carried out at close to 70 sites across the U.S. and Canada. To date, 338 patients have already completed 12 months on study medication, and the trial is scheduled to be completed by January 2007.