Patent for Gene Variants of Interleukin-9 Receptor

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Genaera Receives Patent for Gene Variants of Interleukin-9 Receptor

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genaera

Corporation (Nasdaq: GENR) today announced issuance by the United States

Patent and Trademark Office of patent number 7,056,698 entitled "Nucleic

Acids Encoding Interleukin-9 Receptor Variants." The patent relates to the

diagnosis, treatment and methods for discovery of new therapeutics for

atopic asthma and related disorders based on variants of Interleukin-9

(IL-9) receptor. Patent expiry occurs in November 2018.

"The protection provided by this patent further strengthens our

intellectual property position around the naturally occurring variants of

the IL-9 receptor," said Jack Armstrong, President and Chief Executive

Officer. "This receptor is central to the development of diagnostic

methods, research tools, and most importantly, new therapies for atopic

asthma, allergy and other IL-9 related diseases. We are delighted to have

secured additional value for our research efforts in allergy and

respiratory diseases."

About IL-9

IL-9 has been associated with symptoms of asthma including mucous

production, lung infiltration of inflammatory cells, and IgE (an immune

globulin associated with allergic disease) production. It is one of at

least 29 naturally occurring interleukins in the human body. Under the

April 2001 collaboration and license agreement between Genaera and

MedImmune, Inc., U.S. Patent Number 7,056,698 is exclusively licensed to

MedImmune for the development of an IL-9 product for the treatment or

prevention of asthma and other diseases and/or disorders. Genaera retains

the rights to diagnostics and vaccines.

About Genaera

Genaera Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company committed to

developing medicines to address substantial unmet medical needs in major

pharmaceutical markets. The Company has products in development for the

treatment of eye, cancer, respiratory disorders and metabolic syndrome.

EVIZON (squalamine lactate) is Genaera's lead product in development

for ophthalmic indications, specifically wet age-related macular

degeneration (AMD). Genaera's other programs include: squalamine for the

treatment of cancer; interleukin-9 antibody, a respiratory treatment based

on the discovery of a genetic cause of asthma; LOMUCIN, a mucoregulator

to treat the overproduction of mucus and secretions involved in many forms

of chronic respiratory disease; and trodusquemine (MSI-1436) for the

treatment of obesity.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the

meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are

subject to risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. Forward-looking

statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain

expectations and assumptions. Such statements include, among others,

statements regarding preliminary results, future clinical development plans

and prospects for Genaera's programs, including EVIZON (squalamine

lactate), squalamine, LOMUCIN, IL-9 antibody and trodusquemine

(MSI-1436). You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by

the use of words in the statements such as "anticipate," "develop,"

"expect," "continue," and "potential" or other words of similar meaning.

Genaera's actual results and performance could differ materially from those

currently anticipated and expressed in these and other forward-looking

statements as a result of a number of risk factors, including, but not

limited to; Genaera's history of operating losses since inception and its

need for additional funds to operate its business; the costs, delays and

uncertainties inherent in scientific research, drug development, clinical

trials and the regulatory approval process; the risk that clinical trials

for Genaera's product candidates, including EVIZON, squalamine,

LOMUCIN, IL-9 antibody and trodusquemine (MSI-1436) may be delayed or

not be successful; the risk that Genaera may not obtain regulatory approval

for its products, whether due to adequacy of the development program, the

conduct of the clinical trials, changing regulatory requirements, different

methods of evaluating and interpreting data, regulatory interpretations of

clinical risk and benefit, or otherwise; Genaera's reliance on its

collaborators, in connection with the development and commercialization of

Genaera's product candidates; market acceptance of Genaera's products, if

regulatory approval is achieved; competition; general financial, economic,

regulatory and political conditions affecting the biotechnology and

pharmaceutical industry; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in

this announcement and in Genaera's filings with the U.S. Securities and

Exchange Commission, all of which are available from the Commission in its

EDGAR database at http://www.sec.gov as well as other sources. You are

encouraged to read these reports. Given the uncertainties affecting

development stage pharmaceutical companies, you are cautioned not to place

undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, any of which may

turn out to be wrong due to inaccurate assumptions, unknown risks,

uncertainties or other factors. Genaera does not intend (and it is not

obligated) to publicly update, revise or correct these forward-looking

statements or the risk factors that may relate thereto.

SOURCE Genaera Corporation

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Related links:

http://www.genaera.com

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