PARIS — — Regulatory News — “This pilot study clearly demonstrates the ability of ExonHit’s technology to identify novel target candidates for breast cancer treatment approaches.”

ExonHit applied its genome-wide SpliceArray™ technology to develop a unique database in breast cancer

Genmab retains exclusive rights on 10 novel splice events to fuel its antibody discovery activity

ExonHit can further exploit the database to develop new drug candidates internally or through partnerships

ExonHit Therapeutics (Paris:ALEHT) today announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Genmab A/S for a selection of novel splice variants, identified as part of a successful pilot study, that have the potential to be therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Genmab retains exclusive development and commercialization rights on 10 events out of a breast cancer database developed using ExonHit’s genome-wide SpliceArray™ technology (RNA splicing analysis platform covering the entire genome).

“Breast cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in women and there is still a significant need for new therapies against this disease. As already demonstrated with Allergan’s recent outlicensing deal with Bristol-Myers Squibb, our genome-wide SpliceArray™ platform can contribute to the development of innovative and more efficacious treatment by identifying novel therapeutics targets,” said Loïc Maurel M.D., President of ExonHit Therapeutics’ Management Board. “This pilot study clearly demonstrates the ability of ExonHit’s technology to identify novel target candidates for breast cancer treatment approaches.”

ExonHit has applied its target discovery platform that is built upon its genome-wide SpliceArray™ technology to identify over 2,700 RNA sequences that are expressed specifically in breast cancer tissue. These sequences are part of a database that can be analyzed using workflows tailored to different target and therapeutic classes. For example, over 400 sequences were identified which could lead to new epitopes for antibody discovery in the treatment of breast cancer. Of particular interest are sequences with the potential to create novel epitopes in well-characterized cancer genes. A set of 10 such sequences that are indicative of alternative splicing events in targets suitable for developing antibody-based therapeutics have been retained by Genmab for further characterization.

Under the terms of the agreement, Genmab owns first negotiation rights on other epitopes that ExonHit further characterizes from this data. ExonHit retains full rights on all uses of the database. Financial terms were not disclosed.

About breast cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in women with 465,000 estimated deaths worldwide in 2007. An estimated 1.3 million new cases of invasive breast cancer occurred among women in 2007 (1). ExonHit has a diagnostic program for breast cancer in clinical development: EHT Dx14, a novel breast cancer diagnostic biomarker developed using ExonHit’s SpliceArray™ platform and licensed from Institut Gustave Roussy in May 2009. Its launch as a ‘research use only’ product for oncology centers is planned in the second half of 2010. ExonHit also has two therapeutic research programs in oncology, EHT 101 and EHT 107.

About ExonHit Therapeutics

ExonHit Therapeutics (Alternext: ALEHT) is a fast-emerging healthcare player active in both therapeutics and diagnostics. The company is applying its proprietary technology, based on the analysis of alternative RNA splicing, to develop innovative molecular diagnostic tests and therapeutics for neurodegenerative and cancer indications. ExonHit has a balanced investment strategy with in-house development programs and strategic collaborations, in particular with bioMérieux and Allergan).

ExonHit is headquartered in Paris, France and has U.S. offices in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The company is listed on Alternext of NYSE Euronext Paris. For more information, please visit https://www.exonhit.com.

Disclaimer

This press release contains elements that are not historical facts including, without limitation, certain statements on future expectations and other forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated.

In addition, ExonHit Therapeutics, its shareholders, and its affiliates, directors, officers, advisors and employees have not verified the accuracy of, and make no representations or warranties in relation to, statistical data or predictions contained in this press release that were taken or derived from third party sources or industry publications, and such statistical data and predictions are used in this press release for information purposes only.

Finally, this press release may be drafted in the French and English languages. In an event of differences between the texts, the French language version shall prevail.

References

(1) Global Cancer Facts & Figures 2007: https://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/Global_Facts_and_Figures_2007_rev2.pdf