Exhibit 99.2


Release: IMMEDIATE                         Contact:  Bernard Patriacca - VP/CFO
                                                     (781) 862-4003


                MACROCHEM GRANTED EXTENSION TO REGAIN COMPLIANCE
                    WITH NASDAQ MINIMUM BID PRICE REQUIREMENT

     Lexington, MA, April 20, 2005 -- MacroChem Corporation (NasdaqSC: MCHM),
announced today that it has received written notice from Nasdaq granting the
Company an additional 180 calendar day compliance period, or until October 13,
2005, to regain compliance with the Nasdaq SmallCap Market's $1.00 minimum bid
price requirement in accordance with Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(8)(D). As
previously disclosed, Nasdaq notified the Company on October 18, 2004 that the
bid price of the Company's common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per
share over the previous 30 consecutive business days, and, as a result, did not
comply with a requirement for continued inclusion in The Nasdaq SmallCap Market
under Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(4). In accordance with Marketplace Rule
4310(c)(8), the Company was provided 180 calendar days, or until April 18, 2005,
to regain compliance. In order to regain compliance, the company must
demonstrate a closing bid price for its common stock of $1.00 per share or more
for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days.

ABOUT MACROCHEM

     MacroChem is a specialty pharmaceutical company that innovates, develops
and commercializes pharmaceuticals administered in novel ways, to treat
important medical conditions. MacroChem is developing two products containing
its patented enhancer, SEPA(R): Opterone(R), a SEPA-enhanced topical
testosterone treatment for male hypogonadism; and EcoNail(TM), a SEPA-enhanced
antifungal nail lacquer to treat a common and potentially debilitating nail
infection known as onychomycosis. For more information on MacroChem, and its
technology and products, please visit our website at: http://www.macrochem.com.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     With the exception of historical information contained in this press
release, the matters described herein are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. MacroChem's actual results may differ
significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to,
those discussed or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in
MacroChem's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as those discussed elsewhere
therein, and include, without limitation, risks regarding product development,
the timing and results of clinical trials, the regulatory approval process,
capital requirements, financial condition, patent protection and dependence on
third parties for development and licensing arrangements. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date hereof. MacroChem undertakes no obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.

         For more information visit our website, http://www.macrochem.com
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