Curis to Present at London Stroke Conference; Results Show Small Molecule Hedgehog Pathway Activators Effective in Significantly Reducing Brain Damage in Stroke Models.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2003

Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRIS) today announced that Dr. Tammy Dellovade, a Senior Scientist at Curis, will speak at the upcoming "Treatment of Stroke and Neuroprotection" conference being held at the Hatton Hotel in London, United Kingdom on September 16, 2003. Dr. Dellovade will present the results of recent studies demonstrating that small molecule Hedgehog pathway agonists (activators) are effective in significantly reducing the amount of brain damage in models of stroke.

The drug candidate compounds used in these stroke studies are the subject of U.S. Patent 6,613,798 that was issued to Curis on September 2, 2003. That patent covers pharmaceutical compositions of numerous small molecule hedgehog agonists that are under development by Curis as treatments for neurological diseases and other disorders.

Previous attempts to develop neuroprotective stroke drugs were impeded by the need to administer the drug candidates very soon after the stroke. These agonists have the potential of having a greater time window after the stroke, in which they could be administered and still be effective.

Dr. Lee Rubin, Curis' Chief Scientific Officer, said, "The neuroprotective effects of the Hedgehog agonists in preventing the progressive death of cells in the brain caused by a stroke are significant. The Hedgehog agonists are able to significantly reduce the amount of brain tissue that, otherwise, would have been irretrievably damaged. We believe that the Hedgehog agonists represent an important new therapeutic approach to the treatment of stroke."

Mr. Daniel Passeri, Curis' President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Stroke represents a very large therapeutic opportunity. With approximately 700,000 new cases of stroke every year in the United States alone, and with very limited existing treatment options, successful development of a new therapy offering neuroprotection to stroke patients would be a great advance. We are very encouraged by these new stroke data."

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.