HBY Hybridon

Hybridon Presents Preclinical Data on Interferon-Alpha Induction by Toll-Like Receptor 9 Agonists Cambridge, Mass., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hybridon Inc. (AMEX:HBY) today announced the presentation of preclinical data on a novel class of synthetic agonists of TLR9 that induce high levels of interferon- alpha (IFN-alpha) in human cell-based assays and animal studies in monkeys. The data were presented at the 5th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies held in Boston from May 12-16, 2005. "This is a novel class of IFN-alpha-inducing synthetic agonists of TLR9 and expands our portfolio of DNA-based lead compounds," commented Sudhir Agrawal, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Hybridon. "IFN-alpha has many therapeutic uses, and we believe TLR9 agonists that induce IFN-alpha may be suitable candidates for the treatment of a number of disease indications, including cancer and infectious diseases." The poster entitled 'Interferon-alpha inducing TLR9 agonists' was presented in the Cytokines/Chemokines session on Sunday May 15th, 2005 (Poster #Su1.52). The presentation included the results of three different immune modulatory oligonucleotide (IMO(TM)) compounds with synthetic immune stimulatory motifs and novel structures. In the studies, these IMO compounds activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells to produce IFN-alpha and also activated B cells. They induced high and sustained levels of IFN-alpha in monkeys following a single subcutaneous injection of IMO. About Hybridon Hybridon, Inc. is developing novel therapeutics based on synthetic nucleic acid chemistry for the treatment of cancer, asthma/allergies, and infectious diseases. Hybridon's proprietary IMO drug candidates are designed to modulate immune responses through Toll-like receptors, the body's first line of defense against disease. The Company's nucleic acid chemistry expertise has also generated a portfolio of partnered products and intellectual property, creating the potential for long-term value for Hybridon. For more information please visit our website at http://www.hybridon.com/. This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Hybridon that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words, "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "should," "could," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Hybridon's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including risks as to whether results obtained in preclinical studies or early clinical trials, such as the results reported here, will be indicative of results obtained in future preclinical studies or clinical trials, or warrant further clinical trials and product development; whether products based on Hybridon's technology will advance through the clinical trial process and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if such products receive approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; whether the patents and patent applications owned or licensed by Hybridon will protect the Company's technology and prevent others from infringing it; whether Hybridon's cash resources will be sufficient to fund product development; and such other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Hybridon's Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2005, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. Hybridon disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Contacts: MacDougall Biomedical Hybridon, Inc. Communications 617-679-5500, x5526 508-647-0209 x12 Tim Sullivan Douglas MacDougall E-mail: Email: Georgetown University Medical Center Lindsey A. Spindle 202-687-5100 DATASOURCE: Hybridon Inc. CONTACT: Tim Sullivan of Hybridon, Inc., +1-617-679-5500, ext. 5526, ; or Douglas MacDougall of MacDougall Biomedical Communications, 508-647-0209 ext. 12, ; or Lindsey A. Spindle of Georgetown University Medical Center, +1-202-687-5100,

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