Reata's Antioxidant Inflammation Modulator Shows Promise for COPD in Study Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Findings, Highlighted in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, Support Reata's Preclinical Development for COPD

IRVING, TX -- February 18, 2009 -- Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that its Antioxidant Inflammation Modulator (AIM) CDDO-Im (also known as RTA 403) conferred protection to mice during chronic exposure to cigarette smoke, protecting against damage and related symptoms that cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (January 6, 2009 issue) and featured in a "Research Highlights" review in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (January 23, 2009 issue).  The study was conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, and Reata provided the AIM used in the study.

Reata's AIM protected animals from cigarette smoke by activating Nrf2, which mediates the body's adaptive response to oxidative stress.  Nrf2 activates the production of over 250 anti-oxidant and detoxification enzymes, and suppression of Nrf2 has been shown to increase the severity of COPD in animal models of the disease.  In the study, when administered via diet to mice during six months of exposure to cigarette smoke, CDDO-Im activated Nrf2 and provided significant protection to the lungs and heart.  It reduced hypertension, protected against alveolar destruction, and prevented decline in right ventricular function.  The results suggest that targeting and activating the Nrf2 pathway may provide a new approach to treating emphysema and COPD.

Reata's AIMs are the most potent known activators of Nrf2 and are frequently used by researchers to study the effects of Nrf2 activation in animal models of disease.  The company is advancing a closely related analogue of CDDO-IM for use in treating COPD.  Reata's lead AIM, RTA 402 (also known as CDDO-Me), is currently in Phase II clinical trials for chronic kidney disease, another chronic inflammatory condition shown to be exacerbated when Nrf2 is suppressed.

"We are very encouraged by this study, which underscores the importance of our efforts to advance new AIMs for treatment of COPD," said Warren Huff, CEO of Reata.  "The findings also support our pipeline of molecules aimed at Nrf2, which is the biological target of several of our other AIMs in development for diseases of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.  We look forward to providing additional clinical updates as we advance these drug candidates."

About COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis resulting most often from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke, but also other chemicals or substances.  Emphysema is associated with pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure, which contribute significantly to COPD-related mortality.  More than 12 million people in the U.S. are currently diagnosed with COPD, and an additional 12 million likely have the disease and don't know it (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/index.htm).  COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the economic burden of COPD in the U.S. in 2007 was $42.6 billion in health care costs and lost productivity.  There is currently no effective treatment for COPD.

About Reata

Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on translating innovative science into breakthrough medicines for intractable diseases. Reata is the leader in discovering and developing novel anti-inflammatory drugs targeting Nrf2, which controls the body's production of antioxidants and has been shown to protect against a broad range of diseases associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.  Reata is developing a portfolio of Antioxidant Inflammation Modulator (AIMs) for a variety of inflammation-related diseases.  The company's most advanced program is in late-stage clinical development for chronic kidney disease, a progressive condition affecting more than 26 million Americans.  For more information, visit www.reatapharma.com.

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