Bolder BioTechnology Awarded Grant From The National Cancer Institute to Develop Therapeutic Proteins for Treating Thrombocytopenia

Wheat Ridge, Colorado  January 14, 2003 - Bolder BioTechnology, Inc. today announced that it has been awarded a $111,802 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.  The grant, entitled  Long-Acting TPO Proteins for Treating Thrombocytopenia supports research to develop long-acting, second-generation thrombopoietin (TPO) proteins for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.   

Daniel Doherty, Ph.D., Director of Research and Principal Investigator for the grant, stated  We are delighted to receive this grant award from the National Cancer Institute to expand our platelet growth factor research program to include TPO.  Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet levels)  is a serious medical problem commonly seen in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.  Thrombocytopenia puts patients at risk for bleeding complications and often results in dose-reductions or delays in chemotherapy, which reduce the effectiveness of the chemotherapy treatment.  TPO is a human protein that stimulates the body to produce more platelets.  Recombinant TPO is highly effective at increasing platelet levels in animal models and is being tested in human clinical trials for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Like most human proteins, TPO is cleared rapidly from the body and must be administered to patients by frequent injection.  The goal of this SBIR grant is to develop second-generation TPO proteins that last longer in the body and can be administered to patients less frequently, optimally only once per chemotherapy cycle.  These improvements may reduce the amount of TPO required per treatment and enhance the ability of TPO to increase platelet levels in cancer patients .

The SBIR program is a peer-reviewed grant program that provides research support to small businesses to discover and develop innovative biomedical products for the treatment of serious unmet medical needs.  Companies that successfully meet the goals of Phase I grants are eligible to apply for an additional $750,000 in Phase II grant support to continue their product development efforts.

Bolder BioTechnology, Inc. uses advanced protein engineering technologies to create proprietary, long-acting human protein pharmaceuticals for the treatment of hematopoietic and endocrine disorders, cancer and infectious diseases. For additional information about Bolder BioTechnology, Inc., please visit our web site at www.bolderbio.com.

Statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties.  There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by the Company.  These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the Company s ability to successfully complete product research and development, including pre-clinical and clinical studies, and commercialization; (2) the Company s ability to obtain required government approvals; (3) the Company s ability to attract and/or maintain manufacturing, sales, distribution and marketing partners; and (4) the Company s ability to develop and commercialize its products before its competitors.

Contact information:          Joe Cox, Ph.D., President          (303) 420-4420 ext.101