Cylene to Announce New Data on its First-In-Class Oral CK2 Inhibitor against Cancer at BIO Conference

SAN DIEGO, CA - May 19, 2009

Cylene Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced today that it will present major advances in the development of their first-in-class, CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 at the 2009 BIO International Convention on Wednesday, May 20th at 4:40 pm. William G. Rice, PhD, Cylene’s president and CEO, will discuss the mechanism, antitumor properties and tumor selectivity of CX-4945, the Company’s oral protein kinase inhibitor currently in Phase I clinical trials. This proprietary compound has demonstrated promise as a potent and selective oral inhibitor of protein kinase CK2, a previously unexploited molecular target with well documented roles in many cancers, indicating broad therapeutic potential. Cylene’s Serine/Threonine Kinase Inhibitor program has also delivered orally active pan-PIM inhibitors of the PIM-1,2,3 kinases, still in pre-clinical development.

About Cylene Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Cylene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a Phase II-stage, small-molecule Oncology Company designing promising therapeutic agents with its two proprietary product discovery platforms, using novel chemistry and biology capabilities. The company was co-founded by Daniel Von Hoff, MD, one of the world’s leading oncology clinical investigators. In addition to the CK2 inhibitor CX-4945, Cylene’s Nucleolus Targeting Technology has generated Quarfloxin (CX-3543), a small molecule agent that is in Phase II development for the treatment of carcinoid/neuroendocrine tumors (C/NET). Quarfloxin disrupts an essential protein:DNA complex in cancer cells, thereby knocking out a critical source of support for tumor cells and selectively causing cancer cell death. Quarfloxin is safe and well-tolerated and has completed two separate Phase I trials on different dosing schedules, during which biological activity was observed in several C/NET patients. More information can be found at www.cylenepharma.com.

Cylene cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts, including implied statements relating to future outcomes of clinical trials, may be forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Cylene's business including, without limitation, risks related to difficulties or delays in testing, obtaining regulatory approval for, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Cylene undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.