Exhibit 99a
                                  -----------


                                  PRESS RELEASE


DynaGen's NicErase-SL  Multi-Center Phase 3 Trial Shows Efficacy in One of Three
Sites

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, August 29, 1997 -- DynaGen, Inc. (Nasdaq:DYGN;BSE:DYG)
today  announced  that the  combined  results  of its  750-subject  multi-center
clinical trial did not yield a statistically  significant difference between the
placebo and  NicErase(R)-SL  groups.  However,  one center, the Tobacco Research
Center  at the  West  Virginia  University  School  of  Medicine,  was  able  to
demonstrate efficacy and achieve statistical significance.  This site, under the
direction of Elbert D. Glover,  Ph.D.,  demonstrated 23% (p = 0.033)  abstinence
rate in subjects  who received  NicErase(R)-SL  compared to 13% rate in subjects
who received placebo treatment.

Dr.  Glover was able to repeat his earlier  success with  NicErase(R)-SL  in the
Company's  prior  pilot Phase 3 trial in which the data from his site showed the
highest trend toward efficacy. The Company believes that his previous experience
with  NicErase(R)-SL may have contributed to the higher  therapeutic  compliance
observed in this pivotal trial, which resulted in the clinical efficacy achieved
at the West  Virginia  site.  The  Company  also  believes  that the overall low
therapeutic  compliance  reported in the pivotal  trial at the other two centers
may have contributed to an overall lack of statistically significant efficacy.

"While we are  disappointed  with the overall results of this trial, the Company
has to-date shown that lobeline is a safe and potentially effective non-nicotine
alternative  smoking  cessation  therapy for some smokers wanting to quit," said
Dr. Indu A. Muni,  President and Chief Executive Officer.  "The results from Dr.
Glover's  site,  together with the pilot Phase 3 results,  should be encouraging
for our alliance partners to proceed with their delivery systems for lobeline."

DynaGen  has  licensed  NicErase(R)  to  Nastech  Pharmaceutical  Company,  Inc.
(Nasdaq:NSTK) for development of a nasally  administered  lobeline  formulation.
Furthermore,  DynaGen has signed a  memorandum  of  understanding  with  Lohmann
Therapie  Systeme GmbH (LTS)  intended to allow LTS to develop  transdermal  and
transbuccal patch formulations of NicErase(R).

In light of these results,  management intends to discontinue the NicErase(R)-SL
(sublingual  tablet)  program at the present time and to focus its  resources on
the multisource drug business and other programs now underway at DynaGen.

Any statements  which are not historical  facts  contained in this press release
are  forward-looking  statements  that involve risks and  uncertainties.  Please
refer to the risk factors  identified  in the  Company's  recent  report on Form
10-K,  including  those  relating  to  commercialization  of  products  and  the
Company's limited manufacturing and marketing experience.






Contacts:
Roger Moore                                               Investor Relations
L.G. Zangani, Inc.                                        DynaGen, Inc.
(908) 788-9660                                            (617) 491-2527