NeurogesX Announces Publication of Phase 3 Data for QUTENZA(TM) (NGX-4010) in Postherpetic...

NeurogesX Announces Publication of Phase 3 Data for QUTENZA(TM) (NGX-4010) in
Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) by The Lancet Neurology

SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NeurogesX, Inc. (Nasdaq:
NGSX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing
novel pain management therapies, announced today the publication of Phase 3
data of its lead product candidate, Qutenza (NGX-4010), for the treatment of
postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in the December 2008 print edition of The Lancet
Neurology. The article is also available through Lancet Online at
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(08)70228-X/fulltext.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently accepted for filing the
Company's new drug application (NDA) requesting approval of Qutenza for the
management of pain associated with PHN. A marketing authorization application
(MAA) for Qutenza is also under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA)
for the management of peripheral neuropathic pain.

The paper in The Lancet Neurology titled, "NGX-4010, a high-concentration
capsaicin patch, for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a randomised,
doubleblind study," presented results from NeurogesX' pivotal Phase 3 study
(study C116). The initial results from this study were announced in October
2006.

The study randomized 402 patients between 18-90 years of age to receive either
one 60-minute application of Qutenza (n=206) or a low-concentration capsaicin
control patch (n=196). Patients were required to have had PHN for at least six
months prior to enrollment, with an average baseline pain rating scale (NPRS)
score ranging from three to nine. The study successfully met its primary
endpoint by showing a significantly greater percentage reduction in NPRS score
from Baseline to Weeks two through eight, compared with patients who received
the control patch. Reduction in pain during Weeks two through twelve was also
significantly greater in patients treated with Qutenza. Qutenza was generally
well tolerated. The most common adverse effects were related to local,
application site reactions and treatment-associated pain.

Anthony DiTonno, President and CEO, commented, "Current PHN treatment options
have limitations that we believe present an opportunity for Qutenza to
address. In addition to the potential for a long duration of effect, Qutenza
acts locally, at the pain site, as opposed to through the central nervous
system, and has the potential to manage pain resulting from PHN without
causing some of the common side effects associated with currently available
systemic treatment options. With both our NDA and MAA currently under review,
we look forward to regulatory decisions on these applications and the
potential for subsequent commercial launches of Qutenza in both the United
States and European Union."

The first author of the publication, Miroslav Backonja M.D., Professor of
Neurology, Anesthesiology and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of
Wisconsin School of Medicine, stated, "The results from the Phase 3 C116 study
of Qutenza in patients with PHN showed that a single 60-minute application of
Qutenza has the potential to provide targeted pain management for up to 12
weeks. I am very glad that Qutenza has the potential upon approval to offer
our patients a significant improvement to the current treatment options for
PHN."

About NeurogesX, Inc.
NeurogesX (Nasdaq: NGSX) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing
and commercializing novel pain management therapies. Its initial focus is on
chronic peripheral neuropathic pain, including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN),
painful HIV-distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP) and painful diabetic
neuropathy (PDN). NeurogesX' late-stage product portfolio is led by its
product candidate Qutenza, a dermal patch designed to manage pain associated
with peripheral neuropathic pain conditions, that the Company believes offers
significant advantages over other pain therapies. A NDA for Qutenza seeking
approval for the management of pain due to PHN was submitted in October, 2008
and has been accepted for review by the U.S. FDA and an MAA for Qutenza
seeking approval for peripheral neuropathic pain is currently under review by
the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).

NeurogesX' second most advanced product candidate, NGX-1998, is a topically
applied, liquid formulation containing a high concentration of capsaicin
designed to treat pain associated with neuropathic pain conditions. NGX-1998
is currently in Phase 1 development.

NeurogesX' early stage product pipeline includes pre-clinical compounds which
are prodrugs of acetaminophen and various opioids. The company has evaluated
these compounds in vitro and in vivo and is currently seeking development
partners for these programs.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). NeurogesX
disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements,
and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements
contained in the Act. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited
to, the expected timing of regulatory decisions with respect to the MAA for
Qutenza in the European Union and the NDA for Qutenza for PHN with the FDA,
including the potential PDUFA date for the NDA; the potential markets for
NeurogesX' product candidates; the expected benefits of NeurogesX' product
candidates and its plans with regard to seeking potential development partners
for its early-stage product pipeline. Such statements are based on
management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially
due to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to,
NeurogesX' product candidates may have unexpected adverse side effects or
inadequate therapeutic efficacy; positive results in clinical trials may not
be sufficient to obtain FDA or European regulatory approval; any regulatory
approvals which are received may offer more limited indications than
anticipated; physician or patient reluctance to use Qutenza or NGX-1998, if
approved, or the inability of physicians to obtain sufficient reimbursement
for such procedures; potential alternative therapies; maintaining adequate
patent or trade secret protection without violating the intellectual property
rights of others; and other difficulties or delays in, clinical development,
obtaining regulatory approval, market acceptance and commercialization of
NeurogesX' product candidates and the advantages of NeurogesX' product
candidates over other pain therapies. For further information regarding these
and other risks related to NeurogesX' business, investors should consult
NeurogesX' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NeurogesX, Inc.
Stephen Ghiglieri
Chief Financial Officer
(650) 358-3310

The Ruth Group
Stephanie Carrington / Sara Ephraim (investors)
(646) 536-7017 / 7002
scarrington@theruthgroup.com
sephraim@theruthgroup.com

Jason Rando (media)
(646) 536-7025
jrando@theruthgroup.com

SOURCE NeurogesX, Inc.

Stephen Ghiglieri, Chief Financial Officer of NeurogesX, Inc.,
+1-650-358-3310; or Investors, Stephanie Carrington, +1-646-536-7017,
scarrington@theruthgroup.com, or Sara Ephraim, +1-646-536-7002,
sephraim@theruthgroup.com, or Media, Jason Rando, +1-646-536-7025,
jrando@theruthgroup.com, all of The Ruth Group, for NeurogesX, Inc.