Release Details

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) announced today that it is presenting data on IMO-3100, an antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9, in a preclinical model of lupus showing that treatment with IMO-3100 suppressed several key disease progression parameters. The presentation, entitled "Treatment with IMO-3100, a novel TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist, inhibits disease development in lupus prone NZBW/F1 mice," is being made at the Keystone Symposia: Dendritic Cells and the Initiation of Adaptive Immunity being held February 12-17, 2011 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"In this study, IMO-3100, Idera's proprietary dual antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9, was shown to suppress multiple key markers of lupus," commented Nicola La Monica, Ph.D., Vice President, Biology of Idera Pharmaceuticals. "These results are consistent with the extensive body of scientific literature suggesting the important role of TLR7 and TLR9 in the progression of lupus."

In the study presented today, IMO-3100 was evaluated at increasing dose levels in NZBW/F1 mice, a strain of mice which are prone to develop a lupus-like autoimmune disease. Treatment was initiated in a therapeutic setting at 21 weeks of age, after detection of anti-DNA antibodies in these mice. Weekly doses of IMO-3100 were administered subcutaneously for 13 weeks. Disease progression was assessed on a weekly basis by monitoring serum anti-DNA antibody levels, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and urine protein levels. Histopathology analysis of selected organs was performed at least two weeks after the last dose of IMO-3100.

IMO-3100 treatment led to a dose-dependent reduction in serum anti-DNA antibody levels, BUN levels and urine protein levels. Histological evaluation of the kidneys showed IMO-3100 treatment led to dose-dependent reduction in disease-associated kidney damage. Histopathology of organs of IMO-3100-treated mice showed reduction in lymphoid hyperplasia. IMO-3100 treatment also led to dose-dependent reduction in serum cholesterol levels.

Authors of the presentation are Fu-Gang Zhu, Ph.D., Dong Yu, Ph.D., Ekambar R. Kandimalla, Ph.D., Nicola La Monica, Ph.D., and Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil.

About IMO-3100

IMO-3100, an antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9, is a lead clinical candidate in development to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Independent research studies suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines characteristic of autoimmune disease are induced through activation of TLR7 and TLR9. IMO-3100 is designed to block production of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines induced through TLR7 and TLR9. In contrast, many current autoimmune disease treatments aim to block the activity of individual cytokines. IMO-3100 has demonstrated potent activity in reducing pathologic and immunologic manifestations in preclinical mouse models of diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and hyperlipidemia. Phase 1 clinical trials of IMO-3100, including an escalating single-dose study and a multiple-dose study, have been conducted in healthy subjects.

About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Idera Pharmaceuticals develops drug candidates to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases, and for use as vaccine adjuvants. The company's proprietary drug candidates are designed to modulate specific Toll-like Receptors, which are a family of immune system receptors. Idera's 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 Idera's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements; whether results obtained in preclinical studies such as the studies referred to in this release will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical 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 will be successful; whether the patents and patent applications owned or licensed by the Company will protect the Company's technology and prevent others from infringing it; whether Idera's cash resources will be sufficient to fund the Company's operations; and such other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Idera's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2010, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. Idera disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Teri Dahlman, 617-679-5519
tdahlman@iderapharma.com
or
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
Chris Erdman, 781-235-3060
cerdman@macbiocom.com