Release Details

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2007--Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX: IDP) today announced the publication of preclinical data on its stabilized immune modulatory RNA (SIMRA) compounds that act as agonists of Toll-Like Receptors (TLR) 7 and 8. In this publication, data were reported from preclinical studies in human cell-based assays and in vivo in non-human primates in which SIMRA compounds induced immune responses. In the reported data the agonistic activity for TLR 7 and 8 was dependent on the chemical composition of the SIMRA compounds. The paper entitled "Stabilized immune modulatory RNA compounds as agonists of Toll-like receptors 7 and 8" is published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. (Vol. 104: 13750-13755, 2007). The authors of the paper are Tao Lan, Ekambar R. Kandimalla, Dong Yu, Lakshmi Bhagat, Yukui Li, Daqing Wang, FuGang Zhu, Jimmy X. Tang, Mallikarjuna R. Putta, YanPing Cong, Anthony F. Trombino, Tim Sullivan, and Sudhir Agrawal of Idera.

"Using our extensive experience in nucleic acid chemistry, we have designed SIMRA compounds to mimic viral RNA as agonists to TLRs 7 and 8," said Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. "These SIMRA compounds add to our diverse portfolio of proprietary TLR-targeted compounds with potential applications in oncology and infectious diseases and as vaccine adjuvants under our collaboration with Merck and Co., Inc."

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 pioneering 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 such as the studies referred to above 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 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.
             Kelly Luethje, 617-679-5519
             kluethje@iderapharma.com
             or
             MacDougall Biomedical Communications
             Chris Erdman, 508-647-0209
             cerdman@macbiocom.com

    SOURCE: Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.