Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDRA) Postpones Phase 2 Trial of Hepatitis C Treatment

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) announced that it is planning to delay its planned Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-2125 based on preliminary data from a 26-week nonclinical toxicology study of IMO-2125 in rodents. The Phase 2 clinical trial involves the evaluation of IMO-2125 plus ribavirin in treatment-naïve, genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients.

Idera is conducting chronic 26-week nonclinical toxicology studies of IMO-2125 in rodents and non-human primates. Preliminary analysis of the histology data from the rodent study showed instances of atypical lymphocytic proliferation. The Company expects data from the non-human primate study and additional histology data from the rodent study during the second half of 2011.

About IMO-2125

IMO-2125, a Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 9 agonist, is a novel immune modulator being developed as a component of treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. IMO-2125 is designed to stimulate the immune system by generating interferons and other antiviral cytokines. IMO-2125 has been evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in null-responder HCV patients as monotherapy for four weeks and in a Phase 1 clinical trial in treatment-naïve HCV patients in combination with ribavirin for four weeks.

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.