DATA SHOWS 2ME2 POTENTIAL AS ANTI-RHEUMATOID DRUG.

EntreMed, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENMD), Rockville, Md., a clinical- stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases presented preclinical data for its lead compound, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2), in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), at the recent Inflammation and Immune Diseases Drug Discovery and Development Summit.

Preclinical studies demonstrate that daily oral administration of 2ME2 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in inflammation and tissue destruction in accepted models of rheumatoid arthritis. Disease progression was blocked by treatment with 2ME2 based on quantitative histological analyses of tissue from a collagen-induced arthritis model. Two parameters for assessing inflammatory responses, infiltration of leukocytes (white blood cells) and pannus (destructive joint tissue) severity, showed a clear dose-dependent improvement with 2ME2 treatment. In addition, cartilage lesion and bone resorption severity scores, two parameters that assess the extent of tissue destruction, also displayed a dose-dependent decline following treatment with 2ME2.

In these preclinical models, treatment with 100 mg/kg of 2ME2 was nearly 100% effective in the inhibition of inflammatory response and tissue destructive processes. Moreover, abnormal angiogenesis associated with the progression of the rheumatoid pannus was virtually eliminated with 2ME2 treatment. Additional preclinical data was presented demonstrating that the severity of arthritis development could be further attenuated by the combination of 2ME2 with the standard of care agent, methotrexate.

Results from earlier preclinical studies in a collagen-induced arthritis model of chronic autoimmune inflammatory joint disease demonstrated that daily oral administration of 2ME2 resulted in a statistically significant reduction in clinical severity of joint inflammation and inhibition of articular joint damage as determined by blinded high resolution radiographs of bone erosions.

EntreMed believes that these preclinical data further support the potential for 2ME2 as a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). The anti-arthritic activities of 2ME2 were apparent in both preventive (prior to arthritis onset) and treatment studies (active arthritis). The beneficial effects of 2ME2 in these models were dose-dependent and non-immunosuppressive.

EntreMed Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Carolyn F. Sidor, M.D., M.B.A, commented on the study results, "We continue to generate positive preclinical data demonstrating the effect of 2ME2 on inflammation and disease progression in well-accepted preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis. We now have preclinical data showing additive benefit by combining 2ME2 with methotrexate. Angiogenesis is an integral component of rheumatoid arthritis and 2ME2, which has antiangiogenic properties, may represent a novel oral, non- immunologic DMARD approach to treating this disease. We will continue to explore 2ME2's DMARD activity in preclinical rheumatoid arthritis models with the intent of supporting a second clinical indication."

About EntreMed

EntreMed, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENMD) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutic candidates primarily for the treatment of cancer and inflammation. Panzem(r) (2-methoxyestradiol or 2ME2), the company's lead drug candidate, is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for cancer, as well as in preclinical development for rheumatoid arthritis. MKC-1, recently acquired through the company's acquisition of Miikana Therapeutics, is also in Phase 2 studies for cancer. EntreMed's goal is to develop and commercialize new compounds based on the company's expertise in angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation and inflammation -- processes vital to the treatment of cancer and other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

For more information, visit http://ww.entremed.com or call 240/864-2643.