BMP-7, Developed by Curis and Licensed to Ortho Biotech, Reverses Kidney Injury in Chronic Kidney Disease Model.

Business Editors & Health Writers

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 2003

Study results reflect first preclinical demonstration of

reversal of chronic progressive kidney disease 

Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRIS) today announced that the scientific journal Nature Medicine yesterday published online results of a study demonstrating the potential of using BMP-7 as treatment to both halt the progression and reverse the effects of chronic progressive kidney disease.

The publication, entitled "BMP-7 counteracts TGF-(beta)1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and reverses chronic renal injury," was based on the research of Dr. Raghu Kalluri and his associates at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Harvard Medical School.

In the study, which is the first to demonstrate the potential of BMP-7 to promote reversal of the effects of chronic kidney disease, the investigators used a model of chronic kidney disease induced by a kidney toxic serum to show that treatment with BMP-7, even after kidney disease was well established, resulted in improved kidney function and a reversal in tissue damage and scarring. Treatment with BMP-7 also led to a significant increase in overall survival rates. Previous studies have demonstrated BMP-7's therapeutic potential in several different preclinical models of chronic kidney disease, including its potential as a hormone to treat kidney-associated disorders such as metabolic bone disease and vascular disease.

Daniel Passeri, Curis' President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Even though there are therapies that can slow kidney disease progression, inevitably large numbers of patients lose function and have to go into dialysis therapy, which is both very costly and difficult as a patient life style. The National Institutes of Health estimates that there are more than 275,000 people on dialysis in the United States. The potential of BMP-7 to be able to halt disease progression prior to dialysis and possibly reverse the course of the disease is very exciting for Curis."

About Curis, Inc.

Curis, Inc. is a therapeutic drug development company. The Company's technology focus is on regulatory pathways that control repair and regeneration. Curis' product development involves the use of proteins or small molecules to modulate these pathways. Curis has successfully used this technology and product development approach to produce several promising drug product candidates in the fields of kidney disease, neurological disorders, cancer, and alopecia (hair loss). For more information, please visit the Curis web site at www.curis.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning Curis' or management's intentions, plans, expectations or predictions of future events are forward-looking statements. Such statements may contain the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates" or similar expressions. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Actual results can be affected by, among other things, uncertainties relating to product development, clinical trials, regulatory actions or delays, the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection, changes in or an inability to execute Curis' realigned business strategy and other risk factors identified in Curis' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Curis disclaims any intention or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.