Gaithersburg, Maryland - September 2, 2005 - GlycoMimetics, Inc. (GMI), a privately held firm that is developing a new class of glycobiology-based therapies for a broad range of indications, today announced it will present new data from recent tests of its novel compounds at the annual International Symposium on Glycoconjugates next week in Italy.

One of the anti-inflammatory compounds tested in animals showed “statistically significant and substantial inhibition” of inflammation, according to independent study investigators.

GMI VP and Chief Scientific Officer John Magnani, Ph.D. will present the results in a lecture entitled “Rational Design of Small Molecule Glycomimetic Compounds that Bind Multiple Epitopes”. An abstract of the session is available on the company’s website, http://www.glycomimetics.com. Selected slides from the lecture, including data on the newest compound, will be available at the website following the meeting.

“Our strategy was to design a molecule that targets multiple sites on cell surfaces that control the inflammatory response,” says Magnani. “The increase in potency is dramatic. We can essentially shut down the inflammatory response in this animal model.”

“The results are an important validation of our strategy,” adds GMI CEO Rachel King. “We plan to develop our compounds into potential drug therapies for diseases in which inflammation plays a critical role. The early data is certainly encouraging.”

Dr. Magnani will also present information about a glycomimetic molecule designed by GMI that inhibits the functions of two different lectins that are virulence factors produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bactertium is frequently associated with Cystic Fibrosis, and causes ventilator associated pneumonia and other infections. GMI plans to develop the compound to be used in conjunction with antibiotics to treat chronic or resistant infections.

“These two projects in combination clearly demonstrate that glycomimetic molecules can be rationally designed to achieve biological activity,” Magnani says. “The core chemistry is a platform for additional potential drug candidates.”


About GMI

GlycoMimetics, Inc. ("GMI") is developing novel therapeutics based upon the roles that carbohydrates play in important biological processes. The Company believes that carbohydrate mimics ("glycomimetic" compounds) represent an important new class of therapeutics. GMI has raised a total of $9.6-million in a Series A round of venture financing. The company is using the funding for pre-clinical development of its lead compounds.

More information is available at the company’s web site: http://www.glycomimetics.com.

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08.13.04: Baltimore Business Journal - Montgomery biotech GlycoMimetics taps into Baltimore VCs, state fund

08.05.04: GMI Secures $5.1-million in Series A Extension

03.26.04: Washington Business Journal: Some relief for biotech's financial headaches*

03.15.04: The Washington Post - GMI's research taps troublesome carbohydrates to combat disease *

01.07.04: Red Herring Magazine - Venture Capitol*

11.03.03: Washington Post - Venture Funding Dips in 3rd Quarter *

10.28.03: Ginsburg Memorial Symposium Announced

9.20.03: Recap Magazine - Glycobiology: Biotech's New Sweet Spot *

09.17.03: GMI Announces Key Adds to BOD

06.06.03: The Business Gazette - Rockville biotech company to put new financing to use *

05.22.03: GMI Closes $4.3M Seed Round

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