NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals announces the closing of previously announced sale

NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp. ("Nucryst") (TSX:NCS / NASDAQ:NCST) is pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced sale of substantially all of the assets of Nucryst pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated November 10, 2009, as amended, among Nucryst, NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Inc., Smith & Nephew Inc. and Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Limited (the "Asset Sale"). The closing of the Asset Sale was completed following approval of the transaction by Nucryst shareholders at a Special Meeting of Shareholders which was held on Monday, December 21, 2009. Of the votes cast at the meeting, 99 per cent were in favour of the Asset Sale.

The meeting was also being held to consider a special resolution (the "Amalgamation Resolution") to approve the proposed amalgamation of Nucryst with a newly formed subsidiary of The Westaim Corporation ("Westaim") to form Amalco (the "Amalgamation"). Under the Amalgamation, Nucryst shareholders other than Westaim will receive for each issued and outstanding share in Nucryst one redeemable preferred share in the capital of Amalco, which preferred share will be redeemed for US$1.77 in cash upon the completion of the Amalgamation. Although the Amalgamation Resolution was approved by Nucryst shareholders, with 99 per cent of all votes cast and 99 per cent of the votes cast by minority shareholders being in favour of the transaction, the meeting was adjourned until 10:00 am mountain time on December 31, 2009 at the same location as the December 21, 2009 meeting, following approval of the Amalgamation Resolution. The purpose of the adjournment is to afford Nucryst additional time to allow for the United States regulatory review process associated with the Amalgamation, which is a "going private" transaction under applicable United States securities laws. While Nucryst believes it has met all applicable disclosure requirements, it is possible that Nucryst will be required to file and/or disseminate to shareholders additional disclosure or take other actions regarding the proposed Amalgamation before the Special Meeting of Shareholders will be concluded and the Amalgamation completed.

Following completion of the Amalgamation, Nucryst intends to delist from the TSX and NASDAQ stock exchanges.

This news release is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for the definitive agreements in relation to the described transactions. There can be no assurance that the closing conditions of the Amalgamation will be satisfied, that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.