Cubist Pharmaceuticals Statement on the Death of Dr. Francis P. Tally.

LEXINGTON, Mass. -- Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBST) today released the following statement following the death Sunday of Francis P. (Frank) Tally, the company's Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Tally's death was announced by the Tally family earlier today.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Frank Tally, a dear friend. Dr Tally is in many ways the "father of CUBICIN" the first-in-class IV antibiotic introduced to aid in the fight against "super bugs" in 2003. Prior to joining Cubist, Frank also played an important role in the development of three other antibiotics: Suprax, Zosyn, and what now has been introduced as Tygacil.

"Frank's guiding voice and deep passion for fighting infectious disease will always be present in all who had the honor to work with him. He will be missed by all at Cubist and across the industry as a friend, a mentor and a source of inspiration," said Mike Bonney, President and CEO of Cubist Pharmaceuticals.

In planning toward his eventual, though not yet scheduled, retirement, Dr. Tally had reduced his day-to-day responsibilities over the past 2 years. He was, however, deeply involved in the landmark trial he initiated which led to the recent FDA approved label expansion for CUBICIN([R]) (daptomycin for injection) to include Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infections (bacteremia), including right-sided endocarditis. The FDA approval of this expanded label in May was a fitting, though sadly final, addition to Frank's remarkable contributions to the field of medicine.

Cubist and CUBICIN are registered trademarks of Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.