May 7, 2001

Neurochem Inc. Wins Prestigious "Genesis Award 2001" From BIOQuebec.


Neurochem Inc. (TSX : NRM) is pleased to announce it has won BIOQuebec's Genesis Award 2001 in the "Innovation" category. This award honours the Quebec life science company that has successfully produced an innovation or made a discovery that contributes to the influence of the Quebec biotechnology industry.

Neurochem's innovations have resulted in the issuance of eight key patents, with 65 active patent applications currently under review, making Neurochem a world-leader in research and development of therapeutics for the central nervous system (CNS) and amyloid-related diseases including Alzheimer's Disease, Hemorrhagic Stroke due to Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Type II Diabetes and Secondary Amyloidosis.

"Neurochem is extremely proud to have been recognized by BIOQuebec as an innovative leader in Quebec's life sciences industry," says Dr. Louis R. Lamontagne, president and CEO, Neurochem Inc. "Our dual expertise into research for CNS and amyloid-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease, will result in novel pharmaceutical products that could offer significant benefit to human health and quality of life."

The Genesis Awards are designed to honour innovators in the life sciences industry in five different categories: innovation, entrepreneurship, synergy-research, transfer-emergence and BRIO. The goal of the awards competition is to recognize the Quebec life sciences companies that stand out in the fields of biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, bio agri-food and clinical research.

About BIOQuebec

BIOQuebec, which counts close to 200 innovative companies as members, is committed to supporting the growth and vitality of Quebec's biotechnology companies. The BIOQuebec members are active in the following sectors: human and animal health; agriculture, bio-food and forestry; and environment.

About Neurochem

Neurochem is a leader in the development of novel, proprietary compounds that inhibit the formation, deposition and toxic effects of amyloid fibrils within the body. Neurochem's research team has been working with international amyloid experts on the development of therapeutic cures to amyloid-related diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease, Secondary Amyloidosis, Diabetes Type II and Hemorrhagic Stroke due to Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. Neurochem has advanced three drug candidates to clinical trials for Alzheimer's Disease, Secondary Amyloidosis and Hemorrhagic Stroke.

At present, the Company employs over 75 people and is located in Saint-Laurent, Canada (www.neurochem.com).

All of the statements contained in this news release, other than statements of fact which are independently verifiable at the date hereof, are forward-looking statements. Such statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management, inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. Some examples of known risks are: the impact of general economic conditions, general conditions in the pharmaceutical industry, changes in the regulatory environment in the jurisdictions in which Neurochem does business, stock market volatility, fluctuations in costs, and changes to the competitive environment due to consolidation or otherwise. Consequently, actual future results may differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in the forward-looking statements.

For further Information, please contact:
Dr. Lise Hébert
Vice President, Corporate Communications
lhebert@neurochem.com

275 Armand-Frappier
Laval (Quebec)
H7V 4A7
Tel: (450) 680-4500
Fax: (450) 680-4501

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