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                                                                      EXHIBIT 99


Contacts:  PROCEPT, INC.                          PACIFIC PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
           James Ankner/Mary Ann Dunnell          Linda B. Preucil
           Robinson Lerer & Montgomery            Director of Business Relations
           212/484-7697/212-484-7797              908/497-0160
           jankner@rlmnet.com                     LBPreucil@aol.com
           www.procept.com                        www.PacificPharm.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



                      PROCEPT AND PACIFIC PHARMACEUTICALS
           ENTER INTO LETTER OF INTENT REGARDING MERGER DISCUSSIONS



CAMBRIDGE, MA, AND SAN DIEGO, CA, NOVEMBER 5, 1998 - Procept, Inc. (Nasdaq: 
PRCT) and Pacific Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC: PHAA) today announced that they 
have signed a letter of intent which contemplates the merger of Pacific 
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. into Procept, Inc.  Boards of directors at each company 
have approved the continuance of negotiations toward the signing of a 
definitive merger agreement.

Both companies' managements are supportive of the proposed merger, which 
would effectively consolidate resources and drug development expertise to 
further advance both ongoing research programs.  "Joining forces with Pacific 
Pharmaceuticals is consistent with Procept's objective to identify clinical 
candidates with the potential for both a significant medical advancement and 
accelerated approval.  The merger would provide a focus in anti-infectives 
and oncology, which is aligned with this strategy.  The resulting expansion 
of the Company's product portfolio would position Procept for successful 
growth," commented Mr. John F. Dee, President and Chief Executive Officer of 
Procept, Inc.  "The combined strength of the two companies will facilitate 
the development of each company's key programs," stated H. Laurence Shaw, 
M.D., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Pacific 
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  "In this era of depressed capital markets, a merger 
would provide resources to position the companies more favorably to reach 
critical milestones and secure appropriate strategic partnerships."

TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION
As currently contemplated, each Pacific share will convert into approximately 
0.12 Procept common shares.  In addition, (a) Procept will assume an 
approximately $7.3 million obligation in connection with a Pacific 
Pharmaceuticals subsidiary BG Development Corp.; and (b) in exchange for the 
waiver of certain liquidation rights, Pacific preferred shareholders will 
receive certain contractual rights from Procept. Further details pertaining 
to the terms of the merger will be released in the event that a definitive 
merger agreement is signed.

The companies expect that the available working capital after consummation of 
the transaction, combined with the existing and anticipated government 
research agreements, would fund the merged entity's current programs for 
approximately two years.

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The closing under such a definitive merger agreement would be contingent upon 
several conditions including (a) satisfactory due diligence by both parties; 
(b) fairness opinions by independent investment bankers; and (c) the final 
approval of the transaction by one or both companies' shareholders.  At this 
stage of the discussions, the outcome of these and other contingencies is 
unknown.

Procept, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of 
novel drugs with a focus in anti-infectives and immunosuppressants.  
Procept's proprietary lead infectious disease candidate in human clinical 
trials is PRO 2000 Gel, a vaginal, topical microbicide designed to provide 
protection against HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and other sexually 
transmitted diseases.  Procept's immunosuppressive research program targets 
an intracellular T-cell enzyme DHODH (dihydrooratate dehydrogenase) that 
helps to activate the immune response.  Patent applications have been filed 
for a series of lead DHODH compounds which may provide target opportunities 
for treating immune system disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and for 
preventing transplant rejection.

Pacific Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a public research and development company 
engaged in the development of cancer therapies, two of which are in human 
clinical trials.  The Company manages the products through pre-clinical, 
clinical development and regulatory approval to position them for successful 
commercialization.  Pacific is developing a chemosensitizing agent to 
overcome cancer drug resistance in brain and other cancers, a photodynamic 
therapy boronated porphyrin (BOPP) molecule for use in hyperproliferative 
disorders including pre-cancerous conditions, cancers, and non-cancerous 
disorders such as vascular restenosis and endometriosis, and an immunotherapy 
for the treatment of metastatic cancer.

THIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAINS FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS.  THERE CAN BE NO 
ASSURANCE THAT PACIFIC PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. OR PROCEPT, INC. INDIVIDUALLY OR 
JOINTLY, WILL DEVELOP COMMERCIALLY VIABLE PRODUCTS, ACHIEVE STRATEGIC 
PARTNERSHIPS, WILL COMPLETE CLINICAL TRIALS ON A SUCCESSFUL BASIS, OR THAT 
THE MERGER BETWEEN PACIFIC PHARMACEUTICALS AND PROCEPT WILL BE CONSUMMATED 
AND, IF CONSUMMATED, BE SUCCESSFUL. THE ACTUAL RESULTS COULD VARY FROM THOSE 
EXPECTED DUE TO A VARIETY OF RISKS SET FORTH FROM TIME TO TIME IN EACH OF THE 
COMPANIES' FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, INCLUDING 
PACIFIC PHARMACEUTICALS' FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 
PROCEPT'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.  THE COMPANIES 
UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY RELEASE THE RESULTS OF ANY OF THESE 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH MAY BE MADE TO REFLECT EVENTS OR 
CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE DATE HEREOF OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF 
UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.

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