Idera Pharmaceuticals Provides Update on Drug Candidate Pipeline Targeted to Toll-like Receptors

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) today provided an update on its drug
candidate pipeline targeted to Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) during its 2009 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.

"We have three drug candidates in clinical evaluation for multiple indications,
two of which are being advanced by our partners. We expect to file an IND
application for a fourth drug candidate by the end of 2009," said Sudhir
Agrawal, D. Phil., President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific
Officer. "Over the next 18 months we expect to obtain data from ongoing clinical
trials of each of these candidates to enable decisions on further development
directions."

IMO-2055 in Cancer Treatment (collaboration with Merck KGaA)

IMO-2055 is a TLR9 agonist

* Phase 2 Clinical Trial of IMO-2055 in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

The Company expects to report detailed data from the first part of a Phase 2
clinical trial of IMO-2055 monotherapy in patients with metastatic or recurrent
clear cell RCC at a scientific meeting in the third quarter of 2009. Based on
the final data analysis, the median progression-free survival for each of the
four arms in the trial was 4.5 months, 4.3 months, 3.4 months, and 1.9 months.
Preliminary data from the trial were announced October 1, 2008.

* Phase 1b Clinical Trial of IMO-2055 in Combination with Avastin® and Tarceva®
in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

The Company expects to report preliminary data from the dose-escalation portion
of the Phase 1b trial at a scientific meeting in the third quarter of 2009. In
the trial, IMO-2055 is being administered with fixed standard dose regimens of
Avastin and Tarceva. Patient recruitment is ongoing at a selected dose level of
IMO-2055 to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of the combination.

* Phase 1b Clinical Trial of IMO-2055 in Combination with Erbitux® and
Camptosar® in Colorectal Cancer

Patient recruitment is ongoing with dose-escalation through three dose levels of
IMO-2055 administered with standard dose regimens of Erbitux and Camptosar to
evaluate the safety of the combination.

IMO-2125 in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection

IMO-2125 is a TLR9 Agonist

* Phase 1 Clinical Trial with IMO-2125 Monotherapy in Chronic HCV Infection in
Patients Non-responsive to Standard of Care Therapy

Patient enrollment in the third cohort has been completed. The Company expects
to complete dosing in the fourth planned cohort and to announce interim data by
the end of 2009.

* Phase 1 Clinical Trial with IMO-2125 in Combination with Ribavirin in Chronic
HCV Infection in Treatment-naïve Patients

The Company is preparing to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the
safety of IMO-2125 in combination with ribavirin in treatment-naïve patients
with chronic HCV infection. The Company expects to commence this trial in the
second half of 2009. The design of this trial is subject to review by regulatory
authorities.

QAX935 (IMO-2134) in Asthma and Allergy (collaboration with Novartis)

QAX935 is a TLR9 Agonist

* Phase 1 Clinical Trial with QAX935

In September 2008, Novartis initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of QAX935. QAX935
is intended for the treatment of asthma and allergies.

IMO-3100 in Autoimmune Diseases

IMO-3100 is a dual antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9

* Submission of Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for IMO-3100

The Company is conducting IND-enabling preclinical development studies to
support the evaluation of IMO-3100 in autoimmune diseases. The Company expects
to submit an IND application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the end
of 2009.

Research Programs

TLR7 and TLR8 Agonists

* The Company is studying its novel TLR7 and/or TLR8 agonists for potential
applications in oncology and infectious diseases.

TLR7, 8 and 9 Agonists as Adjuvants in Vaccines (collaboration with Merck & Co.,
Inc.)

* Idera and Merck & Co. are collaborating under an agreement to research,
develop and commercialize vaccine products containing Idera`s agonist compounds
targeting TLRs 7, 8, and 9 in the fields of oncology, infectious diseases and
Alzheimer`s disease.

TLR Antisense

* The Company has identified antisense candidates targeted to human TLRs 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and to the TLR-associated signaling protein MyD88. The
Company is studying the potential application of TLR antisense in autoimmune and
inflammatory diseases.

About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Idera Pharmaceuticals develops drug candidates to treat infectious diseases,
autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases, and for
use as vaccine adjuvants. Our proprietary drug candidates are designed to
modulate specific Toll-like Receptors (TLRs), which are a family of immune
system receptors that direct immune system responses. Our pioneering DNA and RNA
chemistry expertise enables us to create drug candidates for our internal
development programs and our partnered programs, and generates opportunities for
additional 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, including whether results obtained
in preclinical studies 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 with Novartis, Merck & Co., and Merck KGaA 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 March 31, 2009, which important factors are incorporated herein by
reference. Idera disclaims any intention or obligation to update any
forward-looking statements.

Tarceva is a registered trademark of OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Avastin is a
registered trademark of Genentech, Inc. Erbitux is a registered trademark of
ImClone Systems Incorporated. Camptosar is a registered trademark of Pfizer.

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kelly Luethje, 617-679-5519
kluethje@iderapharma.com
or
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
Chris Erdman, 781-235-3060
cerdman@macbiocom.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009