Cera Products of Jessup, MD and Cumberland Pharmaceuticals announce
National Commercialization of CeraLyte®

A new-generation, rice-based Oral Rehydration Solution--an important weapon for a hard-hitting ‘stomach flu’ season

Baltimore, MD & Nashville, TN (January 13, 2004)--Maryland-based biotechnology company Cera Products, producer of rice-based rehydration products, announces a new agreement with Cumberland Pharmaceuticals of Nashville, Tennessee for the national commercialization of its signature product, CeraLyte®.

Previously, CeraLyte was niche-marketed and sold primarily via the Internet. "We are excited to partner with Cera Products and help make this important new product available to patients nationwide," said A.J. Kazimi, Chief Executive Officer of Cumberland. "We’ll be supporting the product with a multi-faceted marketing and sales campaign."

Just in time for the 'stomach flu' season, CeraLyte will be available at retail pharmacies nationwide and featured to 7,500 office-based gastroenterologists, as well as hospital emergency rooms and primary care physicians. These efforts will be augmented with clinical literature, journal and mail communications and medical meeting exhibits.

CeraLyte was developed based on research led by scientists at Johns Hopkins University in conjunction with Cera Products President Charlene Riikonen, who worked at The International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research in Bangladesh to combat cholera-related dehydration.

CeraLyte’s dual acting, next-generation formula is an important tool to treat or prevent dehydration while alleviating diarrhea from a variety of causes, including stomach viruses and acute or chronic gastrointestinal problems. While other products in this class are typically glucose-based, CeraLyte is an advanced solution made with a patented rice-based formulation.

"The older glucose-based solutions, marketed primarily for infants or young children, do nothing to reduce diarrhea, while sports drinks are inappropriate for use in cases of diarrheal dehydration. These other products may hydrate – although not as fast nor with the sustained action of CeraLyte - but do not reduce or shorten diarrhea," said James Aderhold, Cumberland’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales. "With over 375 million episodes of diarrhea each year in the U.S., we believe CeraLyte meets an important healthcare need and will distinguish itself in a significant market. We also believe that pharmacists will immediately recognize the value of the unique dual action to ensure hydration."

Effective for both children and adults, CeraLyte is the only product in its class available in ready-to-drink liquid and ready-to-mix powder forms. It will be available at local pharmacies throughout the United States. Information about CeraLyte can be found at www.ceraproductsinc.com, or by calling 1.888.CERALYTE. Cera’s other products (CeraSport ®, CeraVet® and CeraVacx®) are still available at www.ceraproductsinc.com, along with international distribution for CeraLyte.

Cera Products Press Contact

Charlene Riikonen
410.309.1000 or charlene.riikonen@ceraproducts.us

Cera Products Inc.

Cera Products Inc. is a Maryland-based biotechnology company. Founded by Ms. Charlene Riikonen and Johns Hopkins University physicians Dr. William Greenough and Dr. David Sack, Cera develops, manufactures and distributes high-performance, proprietary rice-based oral rehydration solutions (ORS). The company’s mission is to save lives, improve quality of life, and reduce health care costs associated with dehydration worldwide. For more information, visit the Cera Products website at www.ceraproductsinc.com.

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a Tennessee-based company formed to acquire rights to and actively market a portfolio of niche pharmaceuticals for specific physician segments such as gastroenterology, critical care, pulmonology and emergency medicine. For more information, visit the Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. website at www.cumberlandpharma.com.

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