Release Details

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2007--Idera Pharmaceuticals (AMEX: IDP) today announced the publication of preclinical data demonstrating that its Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 9 agonist in combination with bevacizumab, the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody, resulted in co-operative anti-tumor activity in animal models of colon cancer. Bevacizumab is marketed as Avastin(R). The paper entitled "Novel TLR9 agonist synergizes by different mechanisms with bevacizumab in sensitive and cetuximab-resistant colon cancer xenografts" is published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences (Vol. 104: 12468-12473, 2007). The authors of the paper include Vincenzo Damiano, Rosa Caputo, Sonia Garofalo, Roberto Bianco, Roberta Rosa, Luigi Racioppi, Gerardina Merola, Sabino De Placido, Fortunato Ciardiello, Gabriella Fontanini and Giampaolo Tortora of the University of Naples Federico II and University of Pisa, Italy; and Ekambar Kandimalla and Sudhir Agrawal of Idera.

"Combination therapy utilizing a variety of anti-tumor mechanisms has become a highly successful therapeutic strategy for a number of cancer indications. The results described in the paper suggest that the TLR9 agonist, in addition to being an immune modifier, also affects the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and VEGF pathways," commented Sudhir Agrawal D. Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. "These findings support our intention to expand our oncology clinical development strategy with IMO-2055, a TLR9 agonist, in combination therapy regimens with targeted agents including Tarceva(R), Avastin and Erbitux(R)."

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 TLRs, the body's first line of immune defense. 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 selected a second TLR9 agonist, IMO-2125, as a lead candidate for treating infectious diseases. 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 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 May 14, 2007, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. Idera disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Avastin is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc. Tarceva is a registered trademark of OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Erbitux is a registered trademark of ImClone Systems Incorporated.

    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