Release Details

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2007--Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX: IDP) today announced the issuance of US patent 7,262,286 (the '286 patent) for novel immunostimulatory oligonucleotide compositions. The claims of this patent, entitled "Modulation of Immunostimulatory Activity of Immunostimulatory Oligonucleotide Analogs By Positional Chemical Changes" cover oligonucleotide compounds comprising a synthetic immunostimulatory dinucleotide motif. The claimed dinucleotide motifs contain certain analogs of cytosine together with guanosine or certain analogs of guanosine.

"With the issuance of claims of the '286 patent, we have expanded our patent portfolio covering synthetic dinucleotide motifs for use in our Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 9-targeted compounds", said Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer.

Presently, the Company has over 200 patents and patent applications world-wide covering agonists and antagonists of TLR7, 8, and 9.

About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Idera Pharmaceuticals is a drug discovery and development company that is developing drug candidates to treat cancer and infectious, respiratory, and autoimmune diseases, and for use as vaccine adjuvants. Idera's proprietary drug candidates are designed to modulate specific TLRs, which are a family of immune system receptors. Idera's DNA chemistry expertise enables it to identify drug candidates for internal development and creates opportunities for multiple collaborative alliances. Idera's most advanced clinical candidate, IMO-2055, is an agonist of TLR9 and is currently in a Phase 2 trial in oncology and in a Phase 1/2 chemotherapy combination trial in oncology. Idera has filed an Investigational New Drug application on a second TLR9 agonist, IMO-2125, for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Idera is collaborating with Novartis International Pharmaceutical, Ltd. for the discovery, development, and commercialization of TLR9 agonists for the treatment of asthma and allergy indications. Idera is also collaborating with Merck & Co., Inc. for the use of Idera's TLR7, 8 and 9 agonists in combination with Merck's therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines in the areas of oncology, infectious diseases, and Alzheimer's disease. For more information, visit www.iderapharma.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "should," "could," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Idera's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including whether results obtained in early clinical studies or in preclinical studies will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials or warrant additional trials; whether products based on Idera's technology will advance into or through the clinical trial process on a timely basis or at all and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if the Company's products receive approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; whether the Company's collaborations with Novartis and Merck will be successful; whether the patents and patent applications owned or licensed by Idera will protect the Company's technology and prevent others from infringing it; whether Idera's cash resources will be sufficient to fund product development and clinical trials; and such other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Idera's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 1, 2007, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. Idera disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    CONTACT: Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
             Robert Karr, M.D., 617-679-5512
             rkarr@iderapharma.com
             or
             MacDougall Biomedical Communications
             Chris Erdman, 508-647-0209
             cerdman@macbiocom.com

    SOURCE: Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.