p38γ

BRISBANE, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- InterMune, Inc. announced today presentations of preclinical study results involving its late-stage drug candidates Actimmune(R) (interferon gamma-1b) and pirfenidone for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The presentations are scheduled to take place during scientific sessions at ATS 2006, the annual International Conference of the American Thoracic Society, being held May 19-24 in San Diego. The Company's Phase III INSPIRE program evaluating Actimmune(R) and Phase III CAPACITY program evaluating pirfenidone are the industry's two most advanced programs in clinical development for IPF. The presentations are as follows: Sunday, May 21, 2006 -- 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Pacific Session: [A135] Growth Factors, Cell Matrix Interactions and Basic Mechanisms of Tissue Fibrosis and Remodeling -- Poster presentation (#B25): Pirfenidone Does Not Antagonize Interferon Gamma-1b-Induced Signaling and Gene Induction: Implications for the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis -- Poster presentation (#B26): Pirfenidone Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-Induced Expression of b-JUN and Prolongs Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Activation of c-JUN: Implications for the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Monday, May 22, 2006 -- 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Pacific Session: [B102] Inflammation/Lung Injury -- Poster presentation (#A28): Pirfenidone Attenuates Proinflammatory Cytokine Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated THP1 Cells Co-Cultured with Transforming Growth Factor-beta-Stimulated HFL1 Cells About Actimmune(R) Actimmune(R) is a synthesized version of interferon gamma, a naturally occurring protein believed to stimulate the immune system. InterMune markets Actimmune(R) for the treatment of two life-threatening congenital diseases: chronic granulomatous disease and severe, malignant osteopetrosis. The most common side effects are flu-like symptoms, including headache, fatigue, fever, chills, and rash. InterMune was recently granted two composition-of-matter patents related to interferon gamma-1b in the United States, extending its patent protection until 2022. Physicians and patients can obtain additional prescribing information regarding Actimmune(R), including the product's safety profile, by visiting . About Pirfenidone Pirfenidone is an orally active, small molecule that shows a wide range of biologic activity. In vitro studies demonstrate that pirfenidone suppresses fibrogenesis through selective inhibition of the p38-gamma mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Prior in vitro evidence has shown that pirfenidone inhibits collagen synthesis, down-regulates profibrotic cytokines and decreases fibroblast proliferation. Data presented from four Phase II clinical trials in over 250 patients suggest that pirfenidone may impact lung function and disease progression in patients with IPF. In these clinical studies, pirfenidone was generally well tolerated with the most frequent side effects reported being photosensitivity rash and gastrointestinal symptoms. In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) granted pirfenidone orphan drug designation for the treatment of IPF. InterMune has worldwide rights, excluding Japan, Korea and Taiwan, to develop and commercialize pirfenidone for all fibrotic diseases. About IPF IPF is a disabling and ultimately fatal disease that affects approximately 83,000 people in the United States, with approximately 30,000 new cases developing each year. InterMune estimates there is a significant IPF population in Europe. Those diagnosed with IPF are usually between the ages of 40 and 70, and the disease tends to affect men more than women. IPF causes inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs, hindering a person's ability to process oxygen and causing shortness of breath (dyspnea) and cough. IPF is a progressive disease, meaning that over time, lung scarring and symptoms increase in severity. The disease is very deadly, with a median survival time from diagnosis of two to five years, and a five-year survival rate of approximately 20 percent. There are currently no drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) for the treatment of IPF. About InterMune InterMune is a biotechnology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of innovative therapies in pulmonology and hepatology. InterMune has a pipeline portfolio addressing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. The pulmonology portfolio includes two Phase III programs evaluating possible therapeutic candidates for treatment of patients with IPF: the INSPIRE trial is evaluating Actimmune(R) and the CAPACITY program is evaluating pirfenidone. The hepatology portfolio includes the lead HCV protease inhibitor compound, ITMN-191, formerly referred to as ITMN B, a second-generation HCV protease inhibitor program, and a research program evaluating a new target in hepatology. For additional information about InterMune and its R&D pipeline, please visit . Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation the statements related to the progress, future patient enrollment in and timing of our clinical trials and announcements of results thereof. All forward-looking statements and other information included in this press release are based on information available to InterMune as of the date hereof, and InterMune assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements or information. InterMune's actual results could differ materially from those described in InterMune's forward- looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in InterMune's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2006 (the "Form 10-K") and updates included in the most recent Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on March 9, 2006 (the "Form 10-Q"), and other periodic reports filed with the SEC, including the following: (i) risks related to the development of our product and product candidates; (ii) risks related to timely patient enrollment and retention in clinical trials, including the use of third parties to conduct such clinical trials; (iii) risks related to achieving positive clinical trial results; (iv) risks related to our intellectual property rights; and (v) risks related to the uncertain, lengthy and expensive clinical development and regulatory process, including having no unexpected safety, toxicology, clinical or other issues. The risks and other factors discussed above should be considered only in connection with the fully discussed risks and other factors discussed in detail in the Form 10-K and InterMune's other periodic reports filed with the SEC. InterMune, Inc. CONTACT: InterMune, Inc. Investor Relations Dept, +1-415-466-2242, orir@intermune.com; or Pam Lord of Porter Novelli Life Sciences,+1-858-527-3494, or plord@pnlifesciences.com, for InterMune, Inc. Web site: