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Corgentech Presents Preclinical Data Demonstrating Reduction of Inflammation Using New Drug Candidate for Eczema

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 9, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Corgentech Inc. (Nasdaq: CGTK) today announced that its NF-kappaB Decoy (NF-kB Decoy) drug candidate demonstrated a dramatic decrease in inflammation and swelling in preclinical models of atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease also known as eczema. NF-kB Decoy was shown to not only reduce recruitment and proliferation of pro-inflammatory cells but also to induce apoptosis, or cell death, of cells relating to inflammation. NF-kB Decoy was also tested in a very sensitive cancer model to evaluate the drug for carcinogenic effects, and it demonstrated that it did not induce carcinogenicity -- an important finding given the recent FDA warning relating to the potential cancer risk of certain drugs currently on the market for eczema. These data were presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri over the weekend.

Corgentech expects to initiate two Phase 1/2 clinical trials of NF-kB Decoy for eczema by mid-year. The first trial, which will be conducted in the United States, will involve approximately 75 patients, and the second trial will be conducted in Australia and Switzerland and will involve approximately 120 patients.

NF-kB Decoy is a selective and potent inhibitor of the transcription factor NF-kB, which is implicated in inflammatory diseases such as eczema, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

"We look forward to beginning to treat patients in our Phase 1/2 clinical trials of NF-kB Decoy for eczema -- the first of which is expected to begin enrolling patients imminently," said John P. McLaughlin, president and chief executive officer of Corgentech. "We are excited about the data presented today which demonstrate the lack of cancer risk with NF-kB Decoy and believe that this drug could someday provide a safer alternative to the drugs that are currently on the market for eczema."

About Eczema

Characterized by itchiness, redness and thickening of the skin, eczema is often associated with elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and a personal or family history of allergies, allergic rhinitis and asthma. The chronic disease affects approximately 15 million people in the United States. While topical corticosteroids are currently used to treat eczema, their chronic use is limited due to the potential for significant side effects. Topical calcineurin inhibitors have also shown potential in the treatment of this disease; however these potent immunosuppressive agents have yet to produce long-term safety data. In preclinical studies, NF-kB Decoy was efficiently delivered to intact skin using several easy-to-manufacture, inexpensive formulations and was effective in reducing the swelling and inflammation associated with eczema with minimal side effects. Clinical trials will demonstrate whether results obtained in preclinical studies will be indicative of future results.

About Corgentech

Corgentech is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of DNA-based novel therapeutics for significant unmet medical needs. We are creating a pipeline of novel therapeutics focused initially on the treatment of inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases and cancer. For more information on the company and its technologies, please visit www.corgentech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These include without limitation all statements related to our clinical trials and progress with developing product candidates. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intend," "will," "slated," "goal" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to the development of NF-kB Decoy, progress, timing and results of our clinical trials for NF-kB Decoy, intellectual property matters, difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approval, manufacturing our product candidates, competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies, our ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations and other risks detailed in relevant filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004, and our quarterly report on 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Corgentech undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

SOURCE Corgentech Inc.

Jennifer Cook Williams, Senior Director, Investor Relations of Corgentech,
+1-650-624-9600, or [email protected]

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