Spherix Signs Research Contract With a Leading Global Contract Research Organization to Investigate Role of D-tagatose in Lowering Triglycerides

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Spherix Incorporated (Nasdaq: SPEX), an innovator in biotechnology for therapy in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis; and providers of technical and regulatory consulting services to food, supplement, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today announced the signing of a multi-unit research contract between its wholly-owned subsidiary, Biospherics Incorporated, and a leading global contract research organization (CRO) to investigate the role of D-tagatose in lowering triglycerides. Work will begin immediately and continue through at least 2011.

"We are optimistic about the potential of D-tagatose to lower triglyceride levels and therefore we are investing in an aggressive drug development program," said Dr. Claire Kruger, Chief Executive Officer of Spherix. "The market for triglyceride-lowering drugs is robust, and exceeds $3 billion annually in the United States. We believe that, should our studies be successful, there will be an important role for D-tagatose to play in the treatment regimen."

As previously announced, Biospherics is developing a program to investigate the potential triglyceride-lowering effects of D-tagatose. In the first phase of this program, Biospherics is working with the CRO to design and execute studies in cell culture, animal models, and humans to clarify the mechanism of action of D-tagatose in modulating triglycerides and glucose in the metabolic syndrome. Importantly, as previously announced, the first post-hoc analysis of the Phase 3 NEET clinical trial with D-tagatose for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes provided information that supports the role of adipocytes (fat cells) in the mechanism of action for D-tagatose. This information on potential mechanism of action will be incorporated into the development program.

About Spherix

Spherix Incorporated was launched in 1967 as a scientific research company under the name Biospherics Research. The Company now leverages its scientific and technical expertise and experience through its two subsidiaries – Biospherics Incorporated and Spherix Consulting, Inc. Biospherics is dedicated to development of D-tagatose and recently completed a Phase 3 clinical trial to study the use of D-tagatose as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Biospherics is actively seeking a pharma partner to continue the diabetes development while exploring D-tagatose as a potential treatment for high triglycerides, a risk factor for atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Spherix's Consulting subsidiary provides scientific and strategic support for suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of conventional foods, biotechnology-derived foods, medical foods, infant formulas, food ingredients, dietary supplements, food contact substances, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer products and industrial chemicals and pesticides. For more information, please visit www.spherix.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that such statements in this release, including statements relating to planned clinical study design, regulatory and business strategies, plans and objectives of management and growth opportunities for existing or proposed products, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks that product candidates may fail in the clinic or may not be successfully marketed or manufactured, we may lack financial resources to complete development of D-tagatose, the FDA may interpret the results of studies differently than us, competing products may be more successful, demand for new pharmaceutical products may decrease, the biopharmaceutical industry may experience negative market trends, our continuing efforts to develop D-tagatose may be unsuccessful, our common stock could be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market, and other risks and challenges detailed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our current report on Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2007. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Spherix Incorporated

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