FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELITE CONCLUDES PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF ITS SECURITIES

July 8, 1999. Northvale,  NJ Elite Pharmaceuticals,  Inc. (OTC:BB ELIP) recently
raised  $4,452,500 in a private  placement of its securities.  It intends to use
the  bulk  of the  proceeds  to fund  working  capital  requirements,  including
conducting clinical studies and product development with the object of obtaining
FDA approval. Elite also anticipates completing the issuance of tax-exempt bonds
by the New Jersey  Economic  Development  Authority in the  aggregate  principal
amount of up to  $3,000,000.  Elite  intends to apply the  proceeds  of the bond
financing to its new expanded  facility in  Northvale,  New Jersey,  to purchase
manufacturing  equipment and qualify it to be a GMP facility by the FDA. This is
in  keeping  with  Elite's  goal of  manufacturing  pharmaceutical  products  in
sufficient quantities to seek FDA approval of drug products.

Elite  Pharmaceuticals,  Inc.  through its wholly owned subsidiary is engaged in
the development of oral controlled  release products such as delayed,  sustained
or targeted release tablets and capsules.  It has developed  several products in
cardiovascular,  anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic  therapeutic categories and
has undertaken contract development for some major pharmaceutical companies.

All statements  other than statements of historical fact contained in this Press
Release are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements in this Press
Release  generally  are  accompanied  by words such as  "intend,"  "anticipate,"
"believe,"  "estimate,"  "project," or "expect" or similar statements.  Although
the Company  believes that the  expectations  reflected in such forward  looking
statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will
prove  correct.  Factors  that  could  cause  the  Company's  results  to differ
materially from the results discussed in such forward looking statements include
the risks described in the prospectus of ELIP. All forward looking statements in
this Press Release are expressly  qualified in their  entirety by the cautionary
statements in this paragraph.

Contact:  Sharon Will, Investor Relations at 212-572-0791 or Fax 212-572-0764.