Hybridon Publishes Data on Novel Synthetic Agonists of Toll-Like Receptor 9 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hybridon, Inc. (AMEX: HBY) today announced the publication of results of preclinical studies on novel DNA compounds, designed by Hybridon, that activate TLR9 and induce distinct immune responses. The results published in the recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS) described immune stimulation effects of representative proprietary compounds from different classes of synthetic TLR9 agonists using cell-based assays and studies in mice and monkeys. "The results of these studies demonstrate our ability to identify novel synthetic DNA agonists that can modulate immune responses through Toll-Like receptors," commented Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Hybridon. "As the TLR9 agonists are potentially applicable to treat a wide variety of diseases including cancer, asthma, allergies, and infectious disease, compounds that can create different immune responses may be used to produce drug candidates that are more disease- specific." Hybridon's lead compound, IMOxine(R), is in Phase II clinical trials for Renal Cell Carcinoma. The paper entitled 'Immunomodulatory oligonucleotides containing a cytosine-phosphate-2-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine motif as potent Toll-like receptor 9 agonists' was published in the May 10th, 2005 issue of PNAS (vol. 102, pp 6925-6930). 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 such as the studies referred to in this release or early clinical trials 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; whether the Company's collaborations will be successful; and such other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Hybridon's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2005, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. Hybridon disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Contacts: Hybridon, Inc. MacDougall Biomedical Communications 617-679-5500, x5526 508-647-0209 x12 Tim Sullivan Douglas MacDougall E-mail: Email: DATASOURCE: Hybridon, Inc. CONTACT: Tim Sullivan of Hybridon, Inc., +1-617-679-5500, ext. 5526, ; or Douglas MacDougall of MacDougall Biomedical Communications, +1-508-647-0209 ext. 12, Web site: http://www.hybridon.com/

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