Amira Pharmaceuticals to Present Preclinical Data from LPA1 Receptor Antagonist Program at FASEB Summer Research Conference

SAN DIEGO - Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it will present preclinical data from its LPA1 receptor antagonist program on June 30, 2009 at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Summer Research Conference in Carefree, Arizona.

The LPA1 receptor is part of the Phosphatidic Acid/Lysophosphatidylcholine pathway, which among other things is associated with cell to cell communication. In recent studies, it has been shown to potentially play a role in fibrotic disease, specifically Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

“Our data not only confirms that this pathway may play a role in fibrotic diseases such as IPF, but that we are well on our way to developing an orally available antagonist which could be studied in a human clinical setting,” said Peppi Prasit, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer. “While a great deal of work remains on this program, we are particularly excited since we believe this could be a novel, first-in-class therapy.”

Bob Baltera, Chief Executive Officer, added, “Our LPA1 program is particularly important for Amira. IPF is a specialty focused disease setting and presents the opportunity for Amira to develop a therapeutic through commercialization without the assistance of a strategic partner. Most importantly, IPF is a grievous disease with minimally effective therapeutic options for patients today.”

About Amira

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Diego, Amira Pharmaceuticals is a small molecule pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and early development of new drugs to treat inflammatory disease. Our discovery team is building on unparalleled insights into bioactive lipid pathways and complex signaling processes controlling many conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular and fibrotic diseases.

Amira has a partnership with GlaxoSmithKline for the development of FLAP (5-lipoxygenase activating protein) inhibitors in respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Amira combines the rigor of a big pharmaceutical company with the ingenuity and energy of a small company, creating an environment for efficient development of novel compounds and effective pre-clinical and clinical program decisions. Its scientific founders have successfully worked together for more than a decade and were pivotal in the discovery of a number of inflammatory drugs, including Singulair(R). The drug hunters at Amira are now actively leveraging their history of success to create high-value compounds for the future. For more information, visit www.amirapharm.com.

Source: Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ian Stone of Russo Partners, +1-619-528-2220, ian.stone at russopartnersllc.com, for Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.