Edimer Pharmaceuticals Receives Grant from the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Program

Cambridge, Mass. – November 1, 2010 – Edimer Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focused on developing an innovative therapy for the rare genetic disorder, X-linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (XLHED), today announced it has received a grant from the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program, enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-148). The grants are awarded to therapeutic discovery projects that show a reasonable potential to (a) result in new therapies to treat areas of unmet medical need or prevent, detect or treat chronic or acute diseases and conditions, (b) reduce the long-term growth of health care costs in the United States, or (c) significantly advance the goal of curing cancer within 30 years.

Neil Kirby, CEO, said “We are thrilled to receive the QTDP grant. This support will make a real difference to us as we move the EDI200 program forward for XLHED and enable us to invest in additional research to better understand the EDA1/EDAR pathway.”

About XLHED

X-Linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (XLHED) is a rare genetic disorder diagnosed on the basis of fine, sparse hair (hypotrichosis); few and often pointed teeth (hypodontia); diminished or absent sweat function (hypohidrosis); and recurrent respiratory infections in infancy. XLHED is associated with mutations in the EDA gene and is the most common of over 170 different ectodermal dysplasias. XLHED affects primarily males and, in its most severe form, is associated with serious and potentially life-threatening illness in infancy resulting from a lack of sweating leading to hyperthermia and from respiratory infections. Through childhood, the focus of medical care for XLHED patients shifts to the chronic skin issues and severe hypodontia with its associated medical and self-esteem issues. Dentures may be prescribed as early as age 2-3 years to enhance feeding, growth, and speech and to begin to address what are often life-long psychosocial issues. As an X-linked genetic disorder, males with their single X-chromosome are fully affected by XLHED, while females inheriting one normal and one altered X-chromosome are variably affected.

About Edimer Pharmaceuticals

Edimer is a privately held biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts dedicated to delivering a significant and durable improvement in the health and quality of life to future generations affected by XLHED. Edimer’s lead product candidate, EDI200, is an EDA replacement protein representing the first of a new class of molecules designed to permanently correct a developmental disorder. Edimer was established in 2009 with investment from Third Rock Ventures and VI Partners.

For further information on Edimer Pharmaceuticals, please visit www.edimerpharma.com.

CONTACTS:

Edimer Pharmaceuticals Jeff Behrens, 617-758-4300 Senior Director, Business Development and Operations

Paul Kidwell 617.296.3854: Office 617.680.1088: Mobile