Release Details

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Mar 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA), a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of DNA- and RNA-based drug candidates targeted to Toll-like Receptors (TLR), announced that Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, will present today an overview of TLR antagonists and their applications in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in a talk entitled "Antagonists of Toll-like Receptor 7 and 9 for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases". The presentation will be made during a session called "Toll-Like Receptor Agonists and Antagonists for the Therapy of Inflammation and Infection" during the 8th World Congress on Trauma, Shock, Inflammation and Sepsis (TSIS 2010) in conjunction with the 23rd SIS-Europe Congress on Surgical Infections and the 2nd Interdisciplinary Summit on Inflammation, in Munich, Germany, from March 9-13, 2010.

Idera has selected IMO-3100, a dual antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9, as a lead candidate for development and has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial.

About IMO-3100

IMO-3100 is a DNA-based antagonist of Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR9, and has been shown in preclinical studies to suppress immune responses mediated through TLR7 and TLR9, including induction of IFN-a, TNF-a, IP-10, IL-6, and activation of B cells. Studies from independent researchers have suggested that immune complexes involved in certain autoimmune diseases induce inflammatory responses mediated through TLR7 and TLR9. Blocking these responses using a TLR antagonist represents an innovative approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In preclinical mouse models of autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis, IMO-3100 has shown potent activity in reducing pathologic and immunologic manifestations of disease. Idera continues to evaluate IMO-3100 and other TLR antagonist drug candidates in preclinical models of autoimmune, inflammatory, and hyperlipidemia diseases.

Idera currently is conducting a single-dose, dose-escalation Phase 1 clinical trial of IMO-3100 in healthy subjects. In this trial, IMO-3100 is being administered by subcutaneous injection to healthy subjects, with the primary objective being the evaluation of safety and tolerability. Secondary objectives are to characterize the pharmacokinetic profile of IMO-3100 and to assess the pharmacodynamic mechanism of action through measurement of the ex vivo response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to TLR7 and TLR9 agonists. The trial is being conducted at a single U.S. site.

The Company plans to use the results from this rising single-dose trial to select dosages for an anticipated follow-up trial in healthy subjects, the purpose of which would be to characterize safety, pharmacokinetics, and ex vivo pharmacodynamic mechanism of action with weekly subcutaneous administration for four weeks. The Company intends to identify an initial autoimmune disease indication for further clinical development of IMO-3100 by the end of 2010.

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.

Idera 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 the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including whether products based on the Company'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 cash resources will be sufficient to fund the its operations; and such other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kelly Luethje, 617-679-5519
kluethje@iderapharma.com
or
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
Chris Erdman, 781-235-3060
cerdman@macbiocom.com