Idera Announces Publication of Studies - Potential Application in Autoimmune & Inflammatory Diseases

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Idera Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication of Studies on Chemistry of Novel

Antagonists for Toll-like Receptors 7 and 9

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From the PharmaLive.com News Archive - Jan. 05, 2009

- Antagonist Compounds Have Potential Application in Autoimmune and

Inflammatory Diseases -

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--Jan 5, 2009 - Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced

the publication of studies on the chemistry of novel compounds that have

been shown to act as antagonists for Toll-like Receptors (TLR) 7 and 9.

These antagonist candidates have potential application in autoimmune and

inflammatory diseases.

The paper entitled " Oligodeoxyribonucleotide-Based Antagonists for Toll-Like

Receptors 7 and 9 " is published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

(December 2008, online ahead of print) and is authored by Daqing Wang,

Ph.D., Lakshmi Bhagat, Ph.D., Dong Yu, Ph.D., Fu-Gang Zhu, Ph.D., Jimmy

Tang, M.S., Ekambar Kandimalla, Ph.D., and Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil., all of

Idera.

" These novel antagonist candidates have been created through our ongoing

structure-activity relationship studies of oligonucleotides, through which

we have also identified agonists of TLR7, 8 and 9, " said Sudhir Agrawal,

D.Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. " We have

evaluated selected antagonist candidates in preclinical models of lupus,

rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and colitis, and

studies continue in additional preclinical models of autoimmune and

inflammatory diseases. "

" Based on encouraging results in preclinical models, we are conducting

preclinical development studies with our lead TLR antagonist drug candidate,

IMO-3100, for an intended Investigational New Drug application, " said Tim

Sullivan, Ph.D., Vice President of Development Programs. " Members of our

Autoimmune Disease Scientific Advisory Board are assisting us in the

clinical development strategy for IMO-3100 and other antagonist candidates

in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. "

About IMO-3100

IMO-3100 is an antagonist drug candidate currently undergoing preclinical

development studies for an intended Investigational New Drug application.

Idera's antagonists of Toll-like Receptors (TLR) are based on synthetic DNA

and have been created through extensive structure-activity relationship

studies. IMO-3100 has been shown in preclinical assays to suppress immune

responses mediated through TLR7 and TLR9. IMO-3100 has been studied in

preclinical models of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis,

psoriasis, and colitis. Evaluation of our TLR antagonists in additional

preclinical models of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is in progress.

About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Idera Pharmaceuticals develops drug candidates to treat infectious diseases,

autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases, and

for use as vaccine adjuvants. Our proprietary drug candidates are designed

to modulate specific Toll-like Receptors, which are a family of immune

system receptors that direct immune system responses. Our pioneering DNA and

RNA chemistry expertise enables us to create drug candidates for internal

development and generates opportunities for multiple collaborative

alliances. For more information, visit www.iderapharma.com.