2008-06-09 23:35:31 -

- Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVN) today announced the appointment of Steven M. Dinh to the newly created position of Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. In this role, Dinh will be responsible for the functioning, expansion and productivity of Noven's transdermal drug delivery program and related transdermal product development activities.

Dinh has more than 25 years' experience in drug

delivery, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development and polymer engineering. He joins Noven from Emisphere Technologies, last serving in the dual role of Vice President of Research and Technology Development and Co-Chair - Office of the President. Earlier, he served as Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of Research & Development for Lavipharm Laboratories, where he led R&D efforts in drug delivery and transdermal and cosmetic products. Before that, he held several senior-level R&D positions focused in transdermal and pharmaceutical R&D for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Ciba-Geigy.

In his areas of expertise, Dinh has co-authored three books, over 30 articles for scientific publications, and more than 100 abstracts. He earned a Doctor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Masters of Science degree from Cornell University, and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Cooper Union.

"As Chief Scientific Officer, Steven is charged with prioritizing Noven's transdermal development programs and assuring that the most promising opportunities move forward on an optimal path and with a sense of urgency," said Peter Brandt, Noven's President and Chief Executive Officer. "He will play a key role in our efforts to establish seamless collaboration among research and development, quality and operations to assure that what emerges from our transdermal pipeline is scalable and ready for the commercial market. We also expect that Steven will help us improve and expand our delivery technologies to broaden our capabilities and, ultimately, bring additional benefit to the patients who use our products."

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development, manufacture, marketing and sale of prescription pharmaceutical products. Noven's business and operations are focused in three principal areas - transdermal drug delivery, the Novogyne joint venture, and its Noven Therapeutics specialty pharmaceutical unit.

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Miami
Joseph C. Jones, Vice President - Corporate Affairs
305-253-1916