EXHIBIT 99.1


Investors:                                                Media:
Ann Tanabe                                                Daniel Budwick
Encysive Pharmaceuticals                                  BMC Communications
(713) 796-8822                                            (212) 477-9007 ext. 14

Hershel Berry
The Trout Group
(415) 392-3385


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                     ENCYSIVE REACHES ENROLLMENT TARGET FOR
         STRIDE-2, THE COMPANY'S PIVOTAL PHASE III TRIAL FOR THELIN(TM)


HOUSTON- SEPTEMBER 8, 2004- Encysive Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ENCY) today
announced it has completed enrolling 240 patients in the Company's multi-center,
pivotal, Phase III STRIDE-2 (Sitaxsentan To Relieve ImpaireD Exercise) trial to
evaluate the safety and efficacy of Thelin(TM) (sitaxsentan) in patients with
pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Enrollment will continue through
September 10, 2004 in order to accept patients still in screening.

"The closing of STRIDE-2 signifies that we are one important step closer to our
goal of commercializing Thelin," said Bruce D. Given, M.D., President and Chief
Executive Officer of Encysive Pharmaceuticals. "We look forward to analyzing and
then reporting the results of this key study."

STRIDE-2 is a Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety and
efficacy study of Thelin treatment with a third party blinded bosentan arm in
patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Patients are randomized to
receive one of four treatments: Thelin 50 mg once daily, Thelin 100 mg once
daily, placebo once daily, or bosentan twice daily according to the package
insert. The duration of the trial is 18 weeks.

The Company expects top line data will be available from STRIDE-2 in February
2005. Moreover, the Company anticipates submission of a New Drug Application for
Thelin to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on or around the end of the
first quarter in 2005.

ABOUT THELIN AND PAH

Thelin is a small molecule that blocks the action of endothelin, a potent
mediator of blood-vessel constriction and growth of smooth muscle in vascular
walls. Endothelin receptor antagonists may prove to be effective in the
treatment of a variety of diseases where the regulation of vascular constriction
is important. Thelin is 6,500-fold selective in targeting the endothelin A
receptor.



Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition involving high blood
pressure and structural changes in the walls of the pulmonary arteries, the
blood vessels that connect the right side of the heart to the lungs. PAH causes
shortness of breath, limits activity, and is eventually fatal unless treated
successfully with heart and lung transplants. Primary and secondary PAH are
estimated to afflict approximately 80,000 to 100,000 people worldwide, many of
whom are children and young women.

Side effects of Thelin seen in the program to date, and which occurred more
frequently than in placebo, include liver dysfunction (increased ALT and AST),
headache, edema, constipation, nasal congestion and flushing. Because Thelin
inhibits the metabolism of warfarin, the dose of warfarin should be adjusted
downward when co-administered with Thelin.

ABOUT ENCYSIVE PHARMACEUTICALS

Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the
discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs, is recognized for
our expertise in small molecule drug development and vascular biology.
Argatroban, our first FDA-approved product, is being marketed by GlaxoSmithKline
for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Encysive Pharmaceuticals is in Phase III
development of the endothelin antagonist, Thelin, for pulmonary arterial
hypertension. Our majority-owned affiliate, Revotar Biopharmaceuticals AG, is in
Phase II development with the selectin antagonist bimosiamose in asthma,
psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Encysive Pharmaceuticals has several other
research and development programs ongoing for a range of cardiovascular and
inflammatory diseases. To learn more about Encysive Pharmaceuticals please visit
our web site: www.encysive.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements
are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected. Among those risks, trends and
uncertainties are timing and cost of our clinical trials, attainment of research
and clinical goals and milestones of product candidates, attainment of required
government approvals, sales levels of our products and availability of financing
and revenues sufficient to fund development of product candidates and
operations. In particular, careful consideration should be given to cautionary
statements made in the various reports Encysive Pharmaceuticals, including as
Texas Biotechnology Corporation, has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update or revise these
forward-looking statements.

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