CGEN-25009

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Compugen Announces Positive Therapeutic Effects of Relaxin Receptor Peptide Ligand in Pulmonary Fibrosis Animal ModelTuesday March 17, 7:00 am ET Relaxin Receptor Is Third GPCR for Which Compugen Novel Peptide Ligands Have Demonstrated Proof of Efficacy in Animal Models TEL-AVIV, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Compugen (NASDAQ:CGEN - News) announced today that CGEN-25009, a novel peptide that previously demonstrated the ability to activate the Relaxin receptor LGR7 (RXFP1) in cell based assays, has shown positive

therapeutic effects in an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis. The Relaxin receptor is the third G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) for which Compugen-discovered peptide ligands have shown therapeutic potential in disease models. “Following two weeks of administration of the CGEN-25009 peptide to mice induced with lung fibrosis, there was a complete reduction in the fibrosis. This improvement was evident both by histology staining and by measuring the Pressure at the Airway Opening (PAO), where levels were comparable to those observed in healthy mice,†said Dr. Anat Cohen-Dayag, vice president, research and development. “These results suggest that CGEN-25009 prevents pulmonary fibrosis in a disease animal model and therefore could have a

potential therapeutic utility to treat pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrosis related conditions, such as chronic renal failure.â€Professor e Bani from the University of Florence, Italy, who performed the animal study and is a recognized world expert in this field with numerous publications on Relaxin’s biology and pathway added, “To my knowledge, this would be the first report on the therapeutic effectiveness of an analogue of Relaxin. In view of the increasing interest in Relaxin as a possible drug and considering the problems inherent in producing enough of this hormone at a reasonably low cost, it could be foreseen that such information would be enthusiastically welcomed.â€Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating incurable condition, the cause for which is unknown in most cases. It is estimated to affect more than five million

people worldwide with tens of thousands of new cases every year in the United States. More than 60% of patients diagnosed with the condition survive less than five years.In 2007, Compugen announced the development of its GPCR Ligand Discovery Platform and its subsequent validation through the prediction and selection of several novel peptides that specifically activate various GPCRs. The GPCR family of membrane protein receptors is the largest family of known drug targets and therefore is of high interest in the pharmaceutical industry. At least 40% of prescription drugs currently available are thought to act on GPCRs. Furthermore, newly discovered GPCR peptide ligands have in the past shown a high probability of being successfully developed into new drugs.CGEN-25009, along with two other Relaxin related peptides, CGEN 25010 and 25011,

were among the first peptide ligands predicted and selected utilizing Compugen’s GPCR Ligand Discovery Platform. These peptides were first presented in May 2008 at the 5th International Conference on Relaxin and Related Peptides. Compugen’s initial results suggested that CGEN-25009 has biological activities similar to those of Relaxin, which are now further supported by the in-vivo findings.Dr. Yossi Cohen, Compugen’s chief technology officer added, “The growing body of positive results for the initial peptides predicted by our GPCR Ligand Discovery Platform is extremely encouraging. In February of last year we announced positive in-vivo results for two peptide ligands of the MAS GPCR indicating cardio-protective effects and therapeutic potential for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases. These results were presented at the VII

International Symposium on Vasoactive Peptides. In addition, a few months ago we announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with Merck KGaA, acting for its pharmaceutical division Merck Serono, covering a peptide ligand for the FPRL1 GPCR, which was shown in experimental studies to have potential to treat inflammatory diseases and other indications.â€Dr. Cohen continued, “Subsequent runs of our GPCR ligand platform have yielded additional putative peptide candidates. Furthermore, the platform is the basis of our existing collaboration with Merck & Co. and the subject of current discussions with additional potential partners. Given this record of early and growing successful validation and industry interest, and the importance of GPCRs in medicine, we have high expectations for this discovery platform.â€About LGR7, the

Relaxin ReceptorSubstantial world-wide research efforts have recently demonstrated that the natural peptide hormone Relaxin is multi-functional and applicable to a broad range of target tissues, including the reproductive system and other organs, in addition to its historical role as the “pregnancy hormoneâ€. Known to activate the LGR7 and LGR8 GPCR receptors, the currently recognized diverse and vital roles of Relaxin include anti-fibrotic activity, homeostatic roles in reproductive health, fertility and ageing, as well as the exhibition of therapeutic properties in various pathophysiological conditions such as infertility, pregnancy and labor complications, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory disorders, wound healing and fibrotic diseases.

Leanne Storch

Executive Director

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

1332 N. Halsted, Suite 201

Chicago, IL 60642-2642

www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org

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