Semafore Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Company Profile

Semafore Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

8496 Georgetown Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
Phone 317.876.3075
FAX 317.872.1379

www.semaforepharma.com

CORPORATE MISSION

By regulating critical non-redundant cell signaling pathways, Semafore is discovering and developing the next generation of novel cancer therapeutics to enhance and extend peoples' lives.

KEY PERSONNEL

Joseph R. Garlich, Ph.D.
President and Chief Scientific Officer
garlich@semaforepharma.com

John S. Sima
COO and VP-Analytical Chemistry
sima@semaforepharma.com

Derek A. Small
Director of Corporate Development
small@semaforepharma.com

Frank P. Lloyd, M.D.
Director of Preclinical Development

COMPANY HISTORY

Founded in 2000 (as ComChem Technologies), Semafore is a drug discovery and development company that is leveraging the P13K/PTEN cell signaling pathway to create a portfolio of innovative small molecule oncology products expected to have major benefits over existing and developmental therapies. The company is a leader in discovering and developing products based on P13K/PTEN using the pioneering science and intellectual property developed by Dr. Donald Durden and now licensed exclusively to Semafore. They have assembled substantial biological, chemical, drug development and drug targeting expertise directly relevant to the successful development of new therapeutics addressing P13K/TPEN targets. Semafore has a portfolio of drug candidates in preclinical development for cancer therapy and for single-agent protection against radiation and chemotherapy-induced anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, with several candidates being optimized for initiation of clinical trials in 2005.

CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

Semafore intends to develop compounds for solid tumor cancers and for chemo- and radiation prophylaxis through Phase 2, when it will seek development and marketing partners. The company expects to develop and commercialize compounds for hematological cancers and to capitalize on the potential uses of its pathway biology and intellectual property in areas outside oncology.

KEY PROGRAMS AND PRODUCTS

Semafore has two main therapeutic programs.

Interceptors™ are small-molecule P13K inhibitors that sensitize the cell to chemo- and radiation therapies, shut down angiogenesis and induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer and other diseases involving abnormal cell proliferation, including macular degeneration and inflammatory and coronary artery disease. The lead Interceptor compound, CC1126, has demonstrated promising activity in preclinical studies and is expected to enter clinical trials in 2005. Second generation agents are also being progressed.
The MarrowShield™ program uses small-molecule PTEN inhibitors to protect healthy cells from cell death during chemotherapy or exposure to radiation by turning on cell survival and proliferation signals in the bone marrow where these cells are manufactured. It provides prophylaxis against this damage, shielding patients from life threatening infections and enabling them to receive the most effective chemotherapy or radiation regimen available. The leading MarrowShield compound, CC1523, is in preclinical development, and clinical trials are expected to begin in 2005.