SAN DIEGO, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Trega Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGA)
today announced the advancements of Robert S. Whitehead to chairman of the
board and Susan M. Hanan to vice president of organizational and strategic
development.  Dr. James C. Blair, former chairman of the board, will continue
as a director.
    "I am pleased to pass the leadership of the Board to Bob Whitehead," said
Dr. Blair.  "As the company's chief executive officer, Bob has engineered a
successful transition of Trega's technical platform that should result in
significant deal flow in 1998.  In addition, he has staffed the organization
with outstanding executives like Susan and others and has positioned Trega for
future success.  I look forward to continued financial and strategic
involvement with the company during this exciting period of its growth."  Dr.
Blair is a partner of Domain Associates, which advises two of Trega's largest
investors, and has been the company's chairman since 1992.
    Mr. Whitehead has served Trega since 1993 as director, president and CEO.
He has lead the company in its evolution from a peptide-based research company
to a focused, integrated discovery organization with particular expertise in
small-molecule combinatorial chemistry and melanocortin biology.
    Ms. Hanan, who joined Trega in 1997, will be responsible for
organizational development and strategies to improve productivity and
effectiveness while dealing with growth and continued transition.  She will
report to Mr. Whitehead and be responsible for the daily management of
administration, facilities, information systems and human resources.  Prior to
joining the company, Ms. Hanan was an independent consultant with ChangeNet --
The Business Transformation Group, and Megaworx.  She also spent twelve years
as dean of academic affairs at Loyola Marymount University.
    Trega Biosciences is a drug discovery company, utilizing combinatorial
chemistry and other technologies to pursue the discovery of novel, small-
molecule drug therapies.  The company leverages its technology platform by
entering into pharmaceutical alliances, enabling partners to access Trega's
technologies in exchange for licensing fees and potential milestones and
royalties, or by establishing joint-discovery alliances with pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies.  Trega also uses its drug discovery technologies
in its internal development programs, which are focused today on discovering
small molecules acting on melanocortin receptors.  Melanocortins are a newly
discovered receptor pathway for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic
diseases.
    Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties, including whether any corporate collaborations or
alliances will be entered into or will be successful, and other risks detailed
from time to time in Trega's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
These forward-looking statements represent Trega's judgment as of the date of
this release.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected.
Trega disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-
looking statements.

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