Idera Announces Issuance of US Patent Covering IMO-8400, Lead Candidate in Phase 2 Trial

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDRA) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued to Idera patent number 8,486,908, providing both composition of matter and method of use protection for IMO-8400. IMO-8400, an antagonist of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7, 8, and 9, is Idera’s lead candidate in development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. IMO-8400 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

“IMO-8400 is a first-in-class antagonist, and we are pleased that the US Patent and Trademark Office recognizes the novelty, utility, and applications of this compound,” commented Steven Ritter, Ph.D., J.D., Vice President of Intellectual Property and Business Affairs at Idera. “Based on its ability to inhibit the inflammation pathways linked to TLRs 7, 8, and 9, IMO-8400 provides a novel approach to the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as other potential indications.”

Idera’s intellectual property portfolio related to TLR antagonists contains eight issued patents and 29 pending patent applications in countries around the world. These patents and patent applications cover compositions of matter and methods of use.

About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Idera Pharmaceuticals is developing a novel approach to the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by targeting specific Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) to inhibit the induction of immune responses. The Company’s lead candidate, IMO-8400, an antagonist of TLRs 7, 8, and 9, is in clinical development for psoriasis and has therapeutic potential in a variety of other indications. Additionally, Idera has a collaboration with Merck & Co. for the use of TLR agonists as vaccine adjuvants for cancer, infectious diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, visit http://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 the patents and patent applications owned or licensed by the Company, such as the patent referred to in this release, will protect the Company's technology and prevent others from infringing it; and such other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Idera's Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2013, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. Idera disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.