Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced results of preclinical studies demonstrating that a new class of compounds, orally available non-antibacterial tetracyclines, has shown promising activity in a preclinical animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Affecting approximately two million people worldwide, MS is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the nervous system and the most common, non-traumatic, neurological disease in young adults. Dr. David McKenney, a Paratek scientist, will present the findings during an oral presentation at 2:30 p.m. PST (5:30 p.m. EST) today at Neuroscience 2004, the Society for Neuroscience's 34th Annual Meeting in San Diego.

For the first time, Paratek is presenting data showing that its non-antibacterial tetracycline compounds in a preclinical model of MS have efficacy comparable to minocycline, an antibiotic also in the tetracycline family. A previous clinical study directed by Dr. Luanne Metz at the University of Calgary has demonstrated disease protection in MS patients treated with minocycline. Unfortunately, long-term treatment with minocycline or any other broad-spectrum antibiotics causes many patients to experience intolerability related to antibiotic side effects. In today's presentation, Paratek will report that three non-antibacterial tetracycline compounds, with different structures, demonstrated activity in reducing limb paralysis in the preclinical EAE (Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis) model of MS. These compounds have no detectable antibacterial activity.

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Serono (virt-x: SEO and NYSE: SRA) announced today that they have entered into an agreement to discover, develop and commercialize an orally-available disease modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The agreement covers the compounds for which Dr. McKenney presents data today.

Stuart Levy, Paratek's Vice Chairman, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder, commented, "The clinica
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Contact: Katie Compa
kcompa@burnsmc.com
212-213-0006
Burns McClellan
27-Oct-2004

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