MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Present Data on LEVADEX(TM) at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPP) today announced that LEVADEX orally inhaled migraine therapy will be featured in one oral presentation and four poster presentations at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in Honolulu, HawaiiApril 9-16, 2011.A summary of the Company’s AAN presentations is below, and the abstracts can be accessed at the AAN website at www.aan.com. LEVADEX is an investigational acute therapy for migraine that has completed Phase 3 clinical development.

About LEVADEX

LEVADEX is an investigational acute therapy for migraine that has completed Phase 3 clinical development. In the clinical trial, patients administered LEVADEX themselves using the proprietary TEMPO® inhaler. LEVADEX contains a novel formulation of dihydroergotamine (DHE). LEVADEX was evaluated in the efficacy portion of FREEDOM-301, MAP Pharmaceuticals’ Phase 3 pivotal trial, which included 395 patients in the LEVADEX arm and 397 patients in the placebo arm. In the Phase 3 trial, patients taking LEVADEX therapy had statistically significant improvement at two hours compared to patients on placebo for all four co-primary endpoints:

• Pain relief: 58.7 percent of patients who received LEVADEX compared with 34.5 percent for placebo (p<0.0001);
• Phonophobia free: 52.9 percent of patients who received LEVADEX compared with 33.8 percent for placebo (p<0.0001);
• Photophobia free: 46.6 percent of patients who received LEVADEX compared with 27.2 percent for placebo (p<0.0001); and
• Nausea free: 67.1 percent of patients who received LEVADEX compared with 58.7 percent for placebo (p=0.02).

The most common adverse event reported was medication aftertaste at six percent versus two percent for placebo. The next most common adverse event was nausea at five percent compared with two percent for placebo. There were no decreases in lung function, as measured by spirometry, between the active and placebo groups.

About Migraine

Common symptoms of migraine include recurrent headaches, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound). According to the National Headache Foundation, most migraines last between four and 24 hours, but some last as long as three days. On average, migraine sufferers experience 1.5 migraine attacks monthly, although 25 percent of them experience one or more attacks weekly. The economic burden of migraine remains substantial despite existing treatments, with the direct and indirect costs of migraine in the United States estimated at over $20 billion annually.

About MAP Pharmaceuticals

MAP Pharmaceuticals is an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new therapies to address undermet patient needs in neurology. The Company is developing LEVADEX orally inhaled therapy for the potential treatment of migraine and has reported positive results from the efficacy portion of its Phase 3 trial of LEVADEX. In addition, MAP Pharmaceuticals generates new pipeline opportunities by applying its proprietary drug particle and inhalation technologies to enhance the therapeutic benefits of proven drugs, while minimizing risk by capitalizing on their known safety, efficacy and commercialization history. Additional information about MAP Pharmaceuticals can be found at http://www.mappharma.com

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to statements of historical facts or statements of current conditions, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including with respect to MAP Pharmaceuticals’ LEVADEX product candidate. Actual results may differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting the Company’s business, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the development and regulatory approval process for the Company’s LEVADEX product candidate. The reader is cautioned not to unduly rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. MAP Pharmaceuticals expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Additional information on potential factors that could affect MAP Pharmaceuticals’ results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, available at http://edgar.sec.gov.

SOURCE MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.