Trega Focuses Discovery Efforts on Small-Molecule Treatments for
                              Metabolic Diseases

    SAN DIEGO, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Trega Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGA)
today announced it will discontinue clinical development of HP 228, an
injectable, non-specific melanocortin-receptor agonist, for diabetes and
obesity.  Instead, it will pursue the discovery of an orally active, small-
molecule compound that is specific to the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC-4r) for
the treatment of metabolic diseases.  In addition, to further focus the
clinical development of HP 228, the company has discontinued the study of
HP 228 for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced toxicities.  In a separate
release today, Trega announced it has initiated a dose-escalation study of
HP 228 for post-surgical pain, an indication more amenable to drug delivery
via injection.
    "We are enthusiastic about the clinical and commercial potential of HP 228
in managing acute post-surgical pain," said Robert S. Whitehead, Trega's
president and chief executive officer.  "However, since HP 228 is an
injectable drug, it is not well suited for the long-term delivery required for
treating chronic conditions like diabetes or obesity.  We believe the
company's resources should be directed toward the discovery of orally active,
small-molecule drugs that have specific activity at MC-4r.  These will be more
appropriate for the treatment of chronic metabolic diseases.  In that regard,
Trega scientists are actively screening our small-molecule combinatorial
chemistry libraries against our internal MC-4r screens to identify potentially
orally active lead compounds targeted to treat metabolic conditions."
    Melanocortin receptors are a series of five G-protein coupled receptors
distributed throughout the body that have been shown to play a role in
metabolic and inflammatory conditions.  In pre-clinical models, Trega
scientists and others have found one receptor, melanocortin-1 receptor
(MC-1r), to have therapeutic potential in pain and inflammation.  As
previously announced in June of this year, Trega signed an agreement with Ono
Pharmaceuticals of Osaka, Japan to identify, develop and commercialize orally
active, MC-1r-specific, small-molecule compounds for the treatment of
inflammatory conditions.  Earlier this year independent scientists reported in
Cell and Nature results which suggest another melanocortin receptor, MC-4r,
plays a role in diabetes and obesity.  In animal models, HP 228 has been shown
to influence the activity of both MC-1r and MC-4r, although at significantly
different dose levels.
    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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