SAN DIEGO, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Trega Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGA)
today announced that it has initiated a phase II dose-escalation trial
evaluating its proprietary compound, HP 228, for the treatment of pain and
inflammation associated with surgery.
    The trial is a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
involving approximately 100 patients undergoing elective hip replacement.  The
objectives of the study are to assess safety and efficacy of HP 228 for the
management of post-surgical pain, as well as the reduction of morphine
administered by patient-controlled analgesia.  The study is being conducted
under a new IND application submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
in May 1997.
    "Pain management following surgery has long been regarded as inadequate,"
stated  Robert S. Whitehead, Trega's president and chief executive officer.
"Current treatments have limited utility due to side effects, such as
constipation, gastrointestinal ulceration, respiratory depression and narcotic
addiction, that interfere with optimal dosing.  In pre-clinical models of pain
and inflammation, HP 228 showed significant non-opioid analgesia and anti-
inflammatory properties.  We believe that HP 228's potential in treating these
indications could result in better and faster patient recovery with fewer
complications, potentially allowing shorter hospital stays and reducing health
care costs."
    HP 228 is an injectable peptide that has physiological and pharmacological
effects on the body's natural cytokines.  Cytokines, which are proteins that
act as messengers between cells, play a key role in the body's inflammatory
and immune responses.  HP 228 appears to influence cytokines and modulate
inflammation via a newly discovered signaling pathway involving melanocortin
receptors, particularly melanocortin-1.
    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 milestone payments
and royalties, or by establishing joint-discovery alliances with biotechnology
companies.  Trega also uses its drug discovery technologies in its internal
development programs.
    Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in the news release are forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties, including whether the proposed product can be
successfully formulated, scaled-up, developed and commercialized, whether
regulatory approvals can be obtained, the impact of competitive products and
pricing, and other risks detailed from time to time in Trega's Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) 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.
    Trega's releases are on the World Wide Web at http://www.trega.com and PR
Newswire's fax-on-demand service at 1-800-758-5804, extension 374050.

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