FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PALADIN ANNOUNCES TPD APPROVAL FOR ADDITIONAL METHANOL POISONING INDICATION FOR ANTIZOL®.

Montreal, Canada, December 4, 2001 - Paladin Labs Inc. (TSE: PLB) announced today that Antizol® (fomepizole) Injection has been approved for use in the treatment of confirmed or suspected methanol poisonings by the Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) of Health Canada following its priority review of the Supplemental New Drug Submission.

The methanol indication is the second indication for Antizol® in Canada. The TPD previously approved the product for use in confirmed or suspected ethylene glycol (antifreeze) poisoning. Methanol is a common toxic chemical found in many household substances such as windshield wiper fluid and cleaning solutions. Methanol poisoning may cause severe morbidity, including blindness and death.

According to Dr. Katia Betito, Executive Director of Scientific Affairs at Paladin, "We are very pleased with the TPD's decision to grant the additional methanol poisoning indication for Antizol®. Published clinical studies not only confirm Antizol® to be both safe and effective in the treatment of methanol poisoning, but also show that its use improves patient care and facilitates physician treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning cases."

Jonathan Goodman, President and CEO of Paladin states, "This additional treatment indication for Antizol® represents a further step forward in our goal of continuing to provide Canadian physicians with the most innovative products and therapies. We are also very pleased to be partners with Orphan Medical, with its complimentary mission to develop products dedicated to patients with inadequately treated or uncommon diseases."

Paladin Labs Inc. acquired the exclusive Canadian rights to Antizol® from Orphan Medical Inc. (NASDAQ: ORPH) in June of 1999. Paladin launched Antizol® into the Canadian market in early 2001, prior to which it was distributed by Paladin under the TPD's Special Access Program (SAP).

About Paladin Labs Inc.
Paladin Labs, headquartered in Montréal, Québec, is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or in-licensing innovative pharmaceutical products for the Canadian market. With this strategy, a focused national sales team and proven marketing expertise, Paladin has evolved into one of Canada's most profitable publicly-traded pharmaceutical companies. For more information about Paladin, please visit the Paladin Web Site at www.paladin-labs.com. Paladin Labs Inc. is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PLB.

About Orphan Medical, Inc.
Orphan Medical acquires, develops, and markets pharmaceuticals of high medical value for inadequately treated and uncommon diseases. The Company serves three strategic therapeutic market segments that are characterized by well-defined patient populations and served by physician specialists: oncology support, antidotes and sleep disorders. Orphan Medical's Internet Web site address is www.orphan.com.

Orphan Medical stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol ORPH.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements or predictions. These statements represent our judgement as of this date and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those associated with product development, clinical trials, future revenues and profitability, and obtaining marketing approval.

For further information please contact:

Paladin Labs Inc
Dr. Katia Betito, Executive Director of Scientific Affairs
Tel: 514-340-7833
e-mail: info@paladin-labs.com
Web Site: www.paladin-labs.com