VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Featured at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2009 VIA-3196 THR Beta Agonist Featured in Abstract Oral Session

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, today announced that Dr. Rebecca Taub, Senior Vice President Research & Development will present "VIA-3196, a Liver-directed Thyroid Beta Agonist for Treating Cardiometabolic Disease" in the Abstract Oral Session on Novel Biological Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis November 17, 2009 at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2009 in Orlando, Florida.

About THR beta agonist

VIA-3196 is an orally administered, small-molecule beta-selective thyroid hormone receptor agonist designed to specifically target receptors in the liver involved in metabolism and cholesterol regulation, and avoid side effects associated with thyroid hormone receptor activation outside the liver. Roche has completed preclinical studies of the THR beta agonist. These studies demonstrated a rapid reduction of non-HDL cholesterol and the drug was shown to be synergistic with statins in animal studies. VIA will investigate the possibility of using the THR beta agonist in combination with statins for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. In addition, in animal studies, insulin sensitization and glucose lowering were observed making this compound a possible treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes in combination with other diabetes medications.

About VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. VIA's lead candidate, VIA-2291, targets a significant unmet medical need by reducing inflammation in plaque, which is an underlying cause of atherosclerosis and its complications, including heart attack and stroke. In addition, VIA's pipeline of drug candidates includes other compounds to address other underlying causes of cardiovascular disease: high cholesterol, diabetes and inflammation. For more information, visit: http://www.viapharmaceuticals.com.

Forward Looking Statements

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CONTACT: James G. Stewart, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-415-283-2204

Web site: http://www.viapharmaceuticals.com/

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