Acucela Founder to Speak at BioVentures Conference

Dr. Kubota to discuss blinding eye disease therapy as one of featured speakers
BOTHELL, Wash.--(Business Wire)--
Acucela founder and CEO Dr. Ryo Kubota will discuss the company`s work toward
developing a treatment for age-related blindness at a conference that attracts a
mix of biotechnical, pharmaceutical and venture capital executives, the company
announced today.

Acucela plans to begin Phase II trials this summer on ACU-4429, an innovative
oral therapy to cure conditions that most commonly cause age-related macular
degeneration (AMD). Dr. Kubota will discuss the company`s clinical findings
related to the drug`s development Thursday at the 11th Annual C21 BioVentures
conference in Napa, Calif.

"Acucela is developing a therapy that will potentially prevent blindness in tens
of millions of people," Dr. Kubota said. "This less-invasive treatment would
dramatically improve the quality of life for people around the world as they
age."

C21 BioVentures attracts senior biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and venture
capital executives to hear presentations from representatives of the world`s
most innovative private companies. Acucela, based in Bothell, Wash., is
developing ACU-4429 in partnership with Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd., a
large Japanese company.

AMD afflicts 30 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of blindness
in the aging population. Dr. Kubota is scheduled to present on Thursday at 1:30
p.m. at the Meritage Resort.

About Acucela

Acucela Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new
drug therapies for blinding eye diseases such as age-related macular
degeneration (AMD), Stargardt disease, diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of
prematurity, as well as dry eye. Founded in 2002, Acucela works with proprietary
disease-specific assays and technologies to identify and develop compounds that
may safely and effectively treat retinal diseases. For more information, please
visit www.acucela.com.

Hill & Knowlton
Emily Robinson, 206-441-7168

Copyright Business Wire 2009