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September 14, 2006

For immediate release

WAKEFIELD, MA – September 14, 2006 – NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: NCST; TSX: NCS) is pleased to announce that Acticoat™ Burn Dressing with NUCRYST’s SILCRYST™ nanocrystalline silver coating has been recognized by Nanotech Briefs for innovation in medical nanotechnology.
Acticoat™ Burn Dressing with NUCRYST’s SILCRYST™ nanocrystalline silver coating was named in the product category of the ‘Nano 50’, which recognizes the top 50 technologies, products and innovators that have significantly impacted, or are expected to impact, nanotechnology. Nominations were judged by a panel of nanotechnology experts. The technologies, products and innovators receiving the 50 highest scores were named Nano 50 award winners. Nanotech Briefs is the monthly digital publication from the publishers of NASA Tech Briefs.
“Innovation in nanotechnology is at the core of our product development at NUCRYST and we have already seen commercial and clinical success in the application of our nanocrystalline silver medical coatings,” said Scott H. Gillis, President & CEO of NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals. “We are pleased with this recognition of our leadership in nanotechnology and look forward to continuing innovation as we explore ways of expanding our pipeline of healthcare products.”

Advanced wound care products with NUCRYST’s SILCRYST™ nanocrystalline coating are sold by Smith & Nephew plc under its Acticoat™ trademark in over 30 countries around the world. Acticoat™ dressings are used for a wide variety of wound types by hospitals, clinics, burn centers, doctors’ offices, home healthcare agencies and nursing homes.

Smith & Nephew’s Acticoat™ family of dressings with NUCRYST’s SILCRYST™ coatings include:

• Acticoat™ 3/ Acticoat™ Burn for wounds requiring up to three days of sustained antimicrobial activity
• Acticoat™ 7 for wounds requiring up to seven days of sustained antimicrobial activity
• Acticoat™ Absorbent for wound with moderate to heavy excess fluid, or exudate, requiring up to seven day of antimicrobial activity
• Acticoat™ Moisture Control for wounds with light to moderate exudate requiring up to seven days of antimicrobial activity

Building on its success with nanocrystalline silver coatings for medical devices, NUCRYST is pursuing pharmaceutical applications for its platform technology. The company is currently engaged in its second Phase 2 clinical trial for a cream formulation of NPI 32101, a powder form of NUCRYST’s unique atomically disordered nanocrystalline silver, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Results from this trial are expected by the end of 2006.

NUCRYST is also researching potential pharmaceutical applications using its NPI 32101 for other dermatology conditions such as acne and psoriasis, and for use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: NCST; TSX: NCS) develops, manufactures and commercializes medical products that fight infection and inflammation using its patented atomically disordered nanocrystalline silver technology. Smith & Nephew plc sell a range of advanced wound care products under their Acticoat™ trade mark: Acticoat™ products incorporate NUCRYST’s SILCRYST™ coatings and are sold in over 30 countries. NUCRYST is also developing pharmaceutical products to address medical conditions that are characterized by both infection and inflammation. The company has developed its nanocrystalline silver in a powder form for use as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, referred to as NPI 32101.

Acticoat™ is a trademark of Smith & Nephew plc
SILCRYST™ is a trademark of NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp.

Carrie Gonzalez
Southard Communications
(212) 777-2220
carrie@southardinc.com

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