Exh. 99.1

Contact:

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

           FDA GRANTS ENCYSIVE ORPHAN DRUG DESIGNATION FOR THELIN(TM)

HOUSTON -NOVEMBER 11, 2004- Encysive Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ENCY) announced
today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug
designation to Thelin(TM) (sitaxsentan sodium).

The U.S. Orphan Drug Act of 1983 provides incentives for companies that are
developing and marketing therapies for diseases and disorders that affect fewer
than 200,000 people in the United States. Following FDA approval, the Orphan
Drug Act provides a drug market exclusivity for a particular indication for a
period of seven years. Additionally, orphan drug designation provides protocol
assistance, clinical trial support, tax credits, grant funding for research,
and waiver of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) filing fee. 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 the targeting of
the endothelin A receptor.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition that involves high blood
pressure and structural changes in the walls of the pulmonary arteries, which
are 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 transplant. 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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