Development of Novel Treatment For Cystic Fibrosis

[Guest guest]

Subject: Development of Novel Treatment For Cystic Fibrosis;Phase IIb

Clinical Trial to Begin in Mid-2003

PR Newswire

April 24, 2003, Thursday

HEADLINE: Targeted Genetics and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics

Announce

Collaboration to Advance Clinical Development of Novel Treatment For

Cystic

Fibrosis;Phase IIb Clinical Trial to Begin in Mid-2003

DATELINE: SEATTLE and BETHESDA, Md., April 24

Targeted Genetics Corporation (Nasdaq: TGEN) and Cystic Fibrosis

Foundation

Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT), the nonprofit drug discovery and development

affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, today announced a

collaboration

agreement to advance the development of Targeted Genetics' product

candidate,

tgAAVCF, to treat patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The focus of this

collaboration is to conduct a Phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate the

efficacy

of tgAAVCF in patients with mild to moderate CF. CFFT will award

approximately

$1.7 million in funding to the clinical trial sites in this study.

" We are pleased to continue the development of our CF program in

partnership

with CFFT. CFFT's unique approach for developing new therapies

specifically for

CF is a significant factor in our ability to move tgAAVCF forward, " said

H.

, president and CEO of Targeted Genetics Corporation.

" CFFT's

network of clinical care centers, the Therapeutics Development Network,

played a

critical role in executing successful clinical trials for Targeted

Genetics in

our most recent study. Now that we have established a strong safety

profile with

tgAAVCF, we look forward to combining the knowledge and expertise of both

organizations to further evaluate the efficacy of our product candidate

to treat

the underlying cause of CF. "

Targeted Genetics has recently completed a Phase II clinical trial

testing

the safety of tgAAVCF in patients with mild to moderate CF. Preliminary

results

suggest a strong safety profile associated with the product candidate,

and

positive trends were observed in activity endpoints such as lung function

and

levels of inflammatory cytokines, both considered important measurements

of

disease. Based on the preliminary results of this study, Targeted

Genetics and

CFFT will initiate a larger, confirmatory Phase IIb clinical trial with

the

primary activity endponge in lung function after 30 days. This

trial is scheduled to begin patient recruitment in mid-2003.

" The CF Foundation places great emphasis on the importance of

research to

develop novel approaches to treating this life-threatening disease.

Currently

approved therapies treoms of CF; we believe that tgAAVCF may

hold significant potential for treating the underlying cause of this

disease, "

said J. Beall, Ph.D., president and CEO of the CF Foundation and

CFFT.

" If successful, this therapy could have profound implications for

individuals

with CF and their families. We appreciate the efforts of Targeted

Genetics in

this arena and look forward to collaborating with them going forward. "

About CF

CF is caused by a defective CFTR gene. Normally, the protein encoded

by this

gene is found in the airways, pancreas, salivary glands and sweat glands,

where

it helps to regulate chloride in the cells. When this protein

malfunctions, it

leads to the production and build-up of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs

and

digestive system. The abnormal mucus leads to chronic bacterial

infections in

the lungs and the invasion of white blood cells, causing inflammation and

scarring. The lungs deteriorate over time leading to a loss of

respiratory

function. Common symptoms include very salty-tasting skin, persistent

coughing,

wheezing or pneumonia, excessive appetite but poor weight gain, and bulky

stools. It is estimated that 70,000 people worldwide have CF, including

approximately 30,000 people in the United States. The median age of

survival for

patients with CF is currently 33.4 years.