FierceBiotech Announces Annual "Fierce 15" Winners

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FierceBiotech
(www.fiercebiotech.com) announced today its annual "Fierce 15" list of the top
privately held biotech companies of 2009. FierceBiotech Editor-in-Chief, John
Carroll, chose this year's winners based on quality of research and management
teams, potential for exciting new partnerships, and venture capital rounds. This
year's Fierce 15 have all proven themselves by pushing forward with
ground-breaking technologies that are redefining the biotech industry amidst
adverse market conditions. Some of the winning innovations include a potentially
new generation of anti-bacterials, advancements in oncology treatments, and
cutting-edge developments in the stem cell field.

An internationally recognized daily newsletter reaching more than 67,000 biotech
and pharma industry professionals, FierceBiotech provides subscribers with a
quick authoritative briefing on the day's top stories, with a special focus on
drug discovery and clinical trials.

"The Fierce 15 award is renowned in the biotech industry for spotlighting the
achievements of companies who step outside the box," said Carroll. "This year's
winners help prove that if you have vision, good science, and solid management,
the money is still there in this uncertain economy to execute growth
strategies."

The "Fierce 15" celebrates the spirit of being "fierce" -- championing
innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition. A profile of
each of the "Fierce 15" companies is available on the FierceBiotech Web site at
http://www.fiercebiotech.com.

The 2009 Fierce 15 winners are:

1. Achaogen
2. Agios
3. Aileron
4. BioVex
5. Calistoga
6. Clovis
7. Heptares
8. Ironwood
9. iZumi
10. KaloBios
11. Pacific Biosciences
12. Portola
13. Proteon
14. Vaxinnate
15. Zafgen
About FierceBiotech

FierceBiotech is the biotech industry's daily monitor -- a free email newsletter
and web resource providing the latest biotech news, articles, and resources
related to clinical trials, drug discovery, FDA approval, FDA regulation, patent
news, pharma news, biotech company news, and more. More than 67,000 top biotech
professionals rely on FierceBiotech for an insider briefing on the day's top
stories. Sign up is free at http://www.fiercebiotech.com.

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Media Contact:
Heather Cox Martin
202-824-5043
heather@fiercemarkets.com