Acetylon Pharmaceuticals to Participate in Upcoming Conferences

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., the leader in the development of next generation selective HDAC inhibitors to epigenetically regulate protein and gene function for the treatment of cancers and severe chronic diseases, today announced that Walter C. Ogier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acetylon, will participate in two investor conferences during September, including the following:

“Epigenetics: The Silent Revolution in Oncology Research”

Rodman & Renshaw 14^th Annual Global Healthcare Conference panel discussion titled, "Epigenetics: The Silent Revolution in Oncology Research," moderated by Managing Director and Senior Biotechnology Analyst, Michael G. King, today, September 10^th at 9:15 a.m. ET in New York at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and
BioPharm America 2012 Conference company presentation on September 20^th at 2:15 pm ET in Boston at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel.

Mr. Ogier will discuss Acetylon’s clinical and preclinical development programs, with a focus on its lead drug candidate rocilinostat (ACY-1215). Rocilinostat is an oral, small molecule, selective inhibitor of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) which is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials for the treatment of relapsed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma at major US cancer centers, in combination with Revlimid® (lenalidomide, Celgene) and with Velcade® (bortezomib, Takeda Millenium).

About Rocilinostat (ACY-1215)

Blood cancers such as multiple myeloma are characterized by successive genetic mutations resulting in rapid cell proliferation and excess production of intracellular proteins. Rocilinostat (ACY-1215) selectively inhibits the intracellular enzyme HDAC6, leading to inactivation of the “aggresome” pathway for degradation of damaged proteins. The resultant accumulation of excess waste protein in malignant cells triggers programmed cell death, called “apoptosis,” with little or no effect on normal cells. Currently available HDAC drugs non-selectively target multiple HDAC enzymes including those of Class I, resulting in dysregulated expression of numerous genes in normal cells as well as cancer cells. Side effects commonly associated with non-selective epigenetic HDAC drugs include gastrointestinal dysfunction, lowered blood platelet levels and risk of hemorrhage, and profound fatigue as well as potential for severe cardiac complications. Selective inhibition of HDAC6 is expected to reduce or eliminate these often-severe side effects associated with non-selective HDAC inhibition and may enable the development of optimized treatment regimens including maximally effective combination drug therapies.

About Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is applying its unique capabilities to discover and develop next-generation, highly selective small molecule drugs to realize the therapeutic potential of HDAC inhibition to treat cancer, inflammatory and other diseases, while reducing the side effects common to this epigenetic class of drugs. The Company, located in Boston, Massachusetts, receives funding from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is based on technology initially developed at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and at Harvard University. www.acetylon.com

Revlimid® is a registered trademark of Celgene Corporation. Velcade® is a registered trademark of Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company.