As part of a restructuring to conserve financial resources, the Company will eliminate approximately 180 positions, including its 150-person sales force and approximately 30 additional sales, marketing and corporate positions, in the next month. Although direct selling efforts will be discontinued, the Company intends to keep its products available and on the market for physicians and their patients.

Oscient previously announced the engagement of Broadpoint Capital to advise the Company on strategic options, including the potential sale of the Company or its assets and that process is ongoing.

As previously noted in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with the SEC, the Company believed it had sufficient cash to continue its then current operations into the third quarter of 2009, unless it was able to raise additional capital and/or refinance or amend the terms of its outstanding debt. The Company has also stated that if it was unable or could not obtain adequate financing, it may have to take measures to significantly reduce expenses which would have a material adverse effect on its business and/or the Company may seek bankruptcy protection.

About Oscient Pharmaceuticals

Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corporation markets two FDA-approved products in the United States: ANTARA® (fenofibrate) capsules, a cardiovascular product and FACTIVE® (gemifloxacin mesylate) tablets, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. ANTARA is indicated for the adjunct treatment of hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol) and hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides) in combination with diet. FACTIVE is approved for the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia of mild to moderate severity.

For important information regarding the safety and use of ANTARA and FACTIVE, please see the full prescribing information available at www.antararx.com and www.factive.com.