Targacept, Inc. To Ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Targacept, Inc. , a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as NNR Therapeutics(TM), announced today that J. Donald deBethizy, President and Chief Executive Officer, will ring the closing bell at The NASDAQ Stock Market on Friday, December 8, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. (ET). The ceremony is in recognition of Targacept's initial public offering completed in April.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010517/CHTH002LOGO )

"The NASDAQ Stock Market is home to many biopharmaceutical companies that are doing important work in the life science industry," said Dr. deBethizy. "Ringing the NASDAQ closing bell commemorates both our achievements to date and our potential. We are grateful to all those who have contributed to our success, and particularly thank our talented and dedicated employees."

About the NASDAQ Closing Bell

The NASDAQ Stock Market rings the closing bell at 4 p.m. and the ceremony will be available for viewing through NASDAQ's web cam (http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/marketsite_about.stm) to watch the ceremony, beginning at 3:50 p.m. Viewers can scroll to the bottom of the page to access the MarketSite Live Web cam link. Windows Media Player is necessary to view the web cam.

About Targacept

Targacept is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops NNR Therapeutics(TM), a new class of drugs for the treatment of central nervous system diseases and disorders. Targacept's product candidates selectively modulate neuronal nicotinic receptors that serve as key regulators of the nervous system to promote therapeutic effects and limit adverse side effects. Targacept has product candidates in development for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, pain and depression, and multiple preclinical programs. Targacept is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this press release about expectations, plans and prospects for Targacept, Inc. and all other statements that are not purely historical in nature constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward- looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of the risks and uncertainties, the results or events indicated by the forward-looking statements may not occur. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, any forward-looking statements in this release represent our views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. Although we may elect to update these forward-looking statements publicly at some point in the future, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, except as required by applicable law.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010517/CHTH002LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.orgPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comTargacept, Inc.

CONTACT: Alan Musso, VP and CFO of Targacept, Inc., +1-336-480-2186, oralan.musso@targacept.com; or Michelle Linn of Linnden Communications,+1-508-419-1555, or linnmich@comcast.net, for Targacept, Inc.

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