Professor Nancy Ip Joins aTyr Pharma's Scientific Advisory Board

Highly Honored Neuroscientist adds Scientific and Drug Discovery Expertise

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- aTyr Pharma announced today that Professor
Nancy Ip, Chair Professor of the Department of Biochemistry and Director of
the Molecular Neuroscience Center at Hong Kong University of Science and
Technology (HKUST), has joined their scientific advisory board. An elected
academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and recipient of China's
highest honor in the natural sciences, the National Natural Sciences award,
Prof. Ip is widely respected for her discoveries in neurosciences. Her
accomplishments include elucidation of key signaling mechanisms for nerve
cells that have resulted in the discovery of potential treatments for
neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

aTyr Pharma has discovery candidates for treatment of neurological disorders
as well as other indications. These novel, naturally occurring proteins are
resectins of tRNA synthetases. According to Jeff Watkins, CEO of aTyr Pharma,
"The tRNA synthetases play a fundamental role in protein synthesis, but tRNA
synthetases in humans have resected forms ("resectins") which provide
additional essential signaling activities. aTyr Pharma has discovered
proprietary resectins with neuro-protective activities. Applying Prof. Ip's
knowledge and experience in neurosciences will accelerate our understanding
and development of aTyr Pharma's novel class of therapeutic proteins, helping
us to bring novel treatments for neuronal diseases to the market as quickly as
possible."

Professor Paul Schimmel of TSRI and co-founder of aTyr Pharma adds, "Prof. Ip
has established a world renowned Center for Molecular Neurosciences at HKUST
focused on discovery of new medicines, and we look forward to using her
perspectives for understanding the neurobiology of our resectins. In addition
to her remarkable discoveries in neuroscience, Prof. Ip brings a passion for
promoting science and biotechnology in China and Hong Kong. With Pangu
BioPharma, our subsidiary based in Hong Kong, we share Prof. Ip's goal of
tapping the scientific talents and resources in China for strategic advantages
in the biotechnology arena."

Prof. Ip obtained her Ph. D. in Pharmacology from Harvard Medical School
before working as a senior staff scientist of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
in New York and ultimately joining HKUST. She has published more than 200
papers with over 13,000 citations by other scientists and holds 18 patents.
Editor-in-Chief of NeuroSignals, Prof. Ip also sits on the editorial boards
for several international journals including Journal of Neuroscience. Her
extensive list of awards includes being the first honoree in life sciences
from China for the L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Award, and being awarded
the Scientific and Technological Prize of the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation. She
received an honorary Doctor of Humane Sciences degree from Simmons College, as
well as the Leader of the Year award in research and the Medal of Honor from
the Hong Kong Government.

About aTyr Pharma
aTyr Pharma, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery of
an entirely new class of biologics. aTyr Pharma's discovery engine for new
biotherapeutics consists of novel proteins in the family of tRNA synthetases
with cell signaling activities distinct from the protein synthesis activities
commonly associated with the tRNA synthetases. These proteins are being
developed as novel therapeutics to treat cancer, neurodegenerative diseases,
inflammation, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders.
www.atyrpharma.com

SOURCE aTyr Pharma

Company, Cheryl Quinn, Director of Business Development, aTyr Pharma,
+1-858-731-8390, cquinn@atyrpharma.com; or Media, Jennifer James, Alta
Partners, +1-415-362-4022, jjames@altapartners.com