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Exhibit 99.14

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<S>                       <C>                                             <C> 
Contacts:                  Jerry B. Hook, Ph.D.                           William McCulloch, M.B.,Ch.B.,F.R.C.P.(glasg.),D.R.C.O.G.
                           President & CEO                                Senior VP, Research & Development
                           Sparta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.                   Sparta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                           (215) 442-1700, Ext. 205                       (919) 361-3462
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sparta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Initiation of Busulfan Clinical Trial at
                         Johns Hopkins Oncology Center

       Horsham, PA, March 24, 1997, Sparta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPTA,
SPTAU, SPTAW, SPTAZ and SPTAL) announces initiation of a Phase I clinical trial
using SpartajectTM busulfan at Johns Hopkins Oncology Center (JHOC). Sparta's
new intravenous form of Spartaject(TM) busulfan is to be used as a myeloablative
agent in patients being prepared for bone marrow transplant. SpartajectTM
technology allows for the injection of water insoluble materials without the use
of solubilizing agents which may be irritating or cause other unwanted side
reactions.

Dr. Louise Grochow will conduct the trial at JHOC. It was at JHOC that the
high-dose busulfan and cyclophosphamide regimen was developed for this purpose
in the 1970s.

Dr. William McCulloch, Sparta's Senior Vice President of Research and
Development, stated, "The use of our injectable formulation of busulfan prior to
transplants is intended to eliminate the need for patients to ingest the large
number of tablets currently required for such procedures and reduce the
potential for unpredictable and serious toxicities arising from the variations
in absorption experienced with the use of the oral form."

Sparta is a development stage pharmaceutical company engaged in the business of
acquiring rights to, and developing for commercialization, technologies and
drugs for the treatment of a number of life threatening diseases including
cancer, cardiovascular disorders and inflammation. The Company has focused on
acquiring compounds that have been previously tested in humans and animals and
technologies that may improve the delivery or targeting of previously tested,
and in some cases marketed, anticancer agents. Sparta's foundation in cancer
chemotherapy has recently been augmented by the addition of new technology in
the rapidly expanding field of serine protease inhibitors. Serine protease
inhibitors have wide applications in diverse fields such as inflammation,
reperfusion injury and stroke.

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Such statements are made based on management's current expectations and
beliefs, and actual results may vary from those currently anticipated based upon
a number of factors, including uncertainties inherent in the drug development
process, including clinical trials. The Company undertakes no obligation to
release publicly any revisions which may be made to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof.