TransTech Pharma, Inc. Achieves Milestone in Novo Nordisk Collaboration on TTP Translational Technology^®

High Point, NC -- October 26, 2004 TransTech Pharma, Inc. (TTP) today announced the achievement of a milestone in its five-year strategic research collaboration with Novo Nordisk, which was initiated in July of 2001. The collaboration is based on TTP's proprietary TTP Translational Technology^® for small molecule drug discovery in combination with Novo Nordisk's biological targets.

Adnan Mjalli, Ph.D., Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransTech, said: "We remain extremely excited about having Novo Nordisk as our first strategic partner. In the past three years, we have been impressed by the quality of Novo Nordisk's biological targets and their drug discovery expertise. This milestone is significant and clear testimony to our powerful and novel drug discovery approach,"

Peter Kurtzhals, Senior Vice President and Head of Discovery at Novo Nordisk said, "We are very impressed by TTP Translational Technology^® and its ability to find high quality small molecules against targets of interest to us in a timely and cost effective manner."

"Our TTP Translational Technology^® has been successfully applied on a wide range of proprietary biological targets and produced novel small-molecule clinical drug candidates for the treatment of diabetes, cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer's disease and thrombosis," concluded Dr. Mjalli.

TransTech Pharma, Inc.
TransTech Pharma, Inc. is a privately held drug discovery company employing approximately 75 people. The company's high throughput drug discovery platform translates the wealth of information from genomics and proteomics into novel small molecules as therapeutics. TransTech is actively developing its own programs with two now in human clinical trials: one a novel oral anticoagulant in Phase II and the other a novel treatment for Alzheimer's disease in Phase I. For further company information, visit http://www.ttpharma.com.

Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a focused healthcare company and the world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as coagulation disorders, growth disorders and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 20,000 people in 69 countries and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NVO". For further company information visit www.novonordisk.com.

For Further Information Contact:

TransTech Pharma, Inc.
Adnan Mjalli, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: 336-841-0300 Ext 101
Fax: 336-841-0333
e-mail: amjalli@ttpharma.com