Cubist's Julian Davies Receives Lifetime Achievement Award From BC Biotech.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2002

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBST) today announced that Julian E. Davies, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Technology Development at Cubist, has received the Lifetime Leadership and Achievement Award from BC Biotech, British Columbia, Canada's biotechnology industry organization.

Each year since 1999, the Annual BC Biotechnology Awards recognize individuals and organizations that are leaders in BC's biotechnology community and strive to increase public awareness, understanding, and interest in BC's biotechnology industry. The nomination for a BC Biotechnology Award is a peer-selected process to recognize those within the community that have made a significant contribution to the industry. The award categories are reviewed and re-determined each year by a group of adjudicators, representing a broad spectrum of BC's biotech industry. This year's award for Lifetime Leadership and Achievement is a special category to recognize a distinguished career in the field of biotechnology. Dr. Davies is the first recipient of this award.

"We congratulate Julian on his many accomplishments and on the receipt of this distinguished honor," said Scott M. Rocklage, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Cubist. "Julian's belief in the wealth of potential product opportunities that exist in nature has become a cornerstone of our drug discovery programs at Cubist. We look forward to realizing Julian's vision in the future through the discovery of novel natural product pharmaceuticals."

During his distinguished career, Dr. Davies has held academic positions at the University of Wisconsin, University of Geneva and Institut Pasteur and is a past President of the American Society of Microbiology. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society (London) and the Royal Society of Canada and Emeritus Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia. From 1980 to 1985, he was Research Director and President of Biogen (Geneva) and he served as Head of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia from 1992 to 1996.

In 1996, Dr. Davies founded TerraGen Discovery Inc., where he served as Chief Scientific Officer until the company was acquired by Cubist in 2000. Although Dr. Davies' received a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham, Dr. Davies studies have largely focused on the field of microbial genetics. He has identified specific plasmids (genetic fragments readily exchanged by bacteria) containing genes responsible for the spread of certain bacterial resistance. This discovery has facilitated drug discovery efforts focused on overcoming issues of resistance. In carrying out these studies, Dr. Davies also developed a gene-marking technique now widely used for transferring specific genes in all types of cells, including those of plants and animals. Since founding TerraGen, Dr. Davies has focused on harnessing the chemical diversity of microorganisms to aid in drug discovery.

About BC Biotech

BC Biotech is a non-government, not-for-profit industry-driven association. Representing over 90% of BC's biotech community across all sectors, BC Biotech is an effective voice on a range of issues that affect the industry, from influencing public policy to stimulating investor interest. BC Biotech represents over 300 members, including 220 Corporate Members, 60 Individual Members, and 24 Student Members, as well as a number of research centres located at government institutions, universities, teaching hospitals, and technical colleges.

About Cubist

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is focused on becoming a global leader in the research, development and commercialization of novel antimicrobial drugs to combat serious and life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections. Cubist is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Cidecin(R) (daptomycin for injection) in the EDGE(TM) (Evaluation of Daptomycin against Gram-positive Entities) clinical trial program and has broadened its pipeline to include multiple pre-clinical drug candidates. The Company is engaged in strategic partnerships with Novartis Pharma AG for the discovery and development of novel antiinfectives and with Gilead Sciences for the commercialization of daptomycin in Europe. Cubist is headquartered in Lexington, MA and has operations in Vancouver, BC, Canada and Slough, UK.

Cubist Safeharbor Statement

Statements contained herein that are not historical fact may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 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 projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements made by the Company. These factors include, but are not limited to: (i) the Company's ability to successfully complete product research and development, including pre-clinical and clinical studies and commercialization; (ii) the Company's ability to obtain required governmental approvals; (iii) the Company's ability to attract and/or maintain manufacturing, sales, distribution and marketing partners; and (iv) the Company's ability to develop and commercialize its products before its competitors. Additional factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements are contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's recent SEC filings.

Cidecin(R) (daptomycin for injection) and EDGE(TM) are trademarks of Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Additional information can be found at the Company's web site at www.cubist.com or at www.noonanrusso.com.