Alcon Licenses Novel Anti-Infective Compounds for Eye, Ear and Sinus Infections from NovaCal

"These novel compounds represent a new class of potential drugsfor the topical treatment of infections in the eye, ear and sinus,"said Scott Krueger, Ph.D., Alcon's vice president R&D forpharmaceutical development. "We hope they eventually will add to ourbroad pipeline of new products in development, as well as to ourportfolio of leading anti-infectives on the market today."

Under the terms of the agreement, Alcon Manufacturing Limited willmake an up front payment to NovaCal, as well as ongoing paymentsassociated with the achievement of development milestones and approvalof products incorporating Aganocide(TM) compounds. Alcon will alsoprovide research funding to NovaCal as part of a collaborativeresearch program. Alcon will be responsible for all clinicaldevelopment costs and NovaCal will receive royalties on the sales ofproducts containing any Aganocide(TM) compound.

"We are delighted by this important agreement with Alcon, whoalready has been conducting preliminary testing of NovaCal'sAganocide(TM) compounds over the past year," said Dr. Ron Najafi,Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NovaCal. "We believeour partnership with Alcon is a major step forward in fully developingthis new class of non-antibiotic anti-infective compounds."

NovaCal retains all rights to the Aganocide(TM) compounds,including new compounds resulting from the collaboration, for othertherapeutic indications and uses beyond eye, ear and sinus infections.NovaCal also retains the right to co-market products resulting fromthe agreement for ear and sinus infections in major Asian markets.

About Alcon

Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) is the world's leading eye care companywith sales of $4.4 billion in 2005. Alcon, which has been dedicated tothe ophthalmic industry for more than 50 years, develops, manufacturesand markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contactlens care solutions and other vision care products that treatdiseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. For moreinformation on Alcon, Inc., visit the Company's web site atwww.alconinc.com.

Alcon Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This pressrelease contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of thePrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating principallyto the timely and successful development of Aganocide(TM) compounds,gaining FDA approval of drugs based on them and their potential fortreating eye, ear and sinus infections. These statements involve knownand unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause ouractual results, performance or achievements to be materially differentfrom any future results, performances or achievements expressed orimplied by our forward-looking statements. These statements reflectthe views of Alcon's management as of the date of this press releasewith respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subjectto risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should notplace undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors thatmight cause future results to differ include, but are not limited to,the following: we may never be successful in developing and gainingFDA approval of drugs from these compounds, approval may take longerthan we expect, and treatments developed by other companies may be ormay be perceived to be more effective; challenges inherent in newproduct marketing; and government regulation and legislation. Youshould read this press release with the understanding that our actualfuture results may be materially different from what we expect. Exceptto the extent required under the federal securities laws and the rulesand regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission,we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of theseforward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information orfuture events or circumstances or otherwise.

About NovaCal Pharmaceuticals

Novacal is a private clinical stage biopharmaceutical companycommitted to developing its proprietary class of new, non-antibioticanti-infective compounds, known as Aganocide compounds, and productsbased thereon. The Aganocide compounds destroy bacteria by attackingmultiple sites and are also effective against bacteria that areprotected by biofilm. NovaCal's drug development programs are aimed attreating or preventing infections that have a major impact on patientsincluding those caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. NovaCal'sinternal programs largely focus on hospital acquired infections thatcause increased morbidity and mortality and that are difficult totreat with existing antibiotics. NovaCal's first compound, NVC-101, isin exploratory clinical trials in the United States for the treatmentof infected venous ulcers. NovaCal's second compound, NVC-422, isexpected to enter clinical trials in the first quarter of 2007. Formore information on NovaCal please visit www.novacal.com.

NovaCal Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This pressrelease contains forward-looking statements for purposes of thePrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). NovaCalPharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") disclaims any intent orobligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims theprotection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements containedin the Act. Examples of such statements include, but are not limitedto, any statements relating to the timing, scope or expected outcomeof the Company's or its partner's clinical development of its drugcandidates, the potential benefits of the Company's drug candidatesand the size of the potential market for the Company's products. Suchstatements are based on management's current expectations, but actualresults may differ materially due to various factors. Such statementsinvolve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, thoserisks and uncertainties relating to difficulties or delays indiscovery, development, testing, regulatory approval, production andmarketing of the Company's drug candidates, unexpected adverse sideeffects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of the Company's drugcandidates that could slow or prevent product approval or marketacceptance (including the risk that current and past results ofclinical trials are not necessarily indicative of future results ofclinical trials), the uncertainty of patent protection for theCompany's intellectual property or trade secrets, the Company'sability to obtain additional financing if necessary and unanticipatedresearch and development and other costs. For further informationregarding these and other risks related to the Company's business,investors should consult the Company's information at www.novacal.com.