Springfield, VA — Repligen Corporation (NASDAQ: RGEN) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive commercial license with The Scripps Research Institute for intellectual property covering compounds, which may have utility in treating Friedreich's ataxia. The Scripps research was funded in part by grants from the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that causes severe and progressive damage to both the nerve tissue in the spinal cord and muscle tissue, especially of the arms,legs and heart. Research in patient cells and mice indicates that a class of compounds called Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors increase production of the frataxin protein, which suggests potential utility of these compounds in slowing or stopping progression of the disease. There is currently no treatment or cure for Friedreich's ataxia.

Kyle Bryant is in day 9 of a 2,800-mile bike ride to raise awareness and research funds to help find a cure for the rare neuromuscular disorder, Friedreich's ataxia (FA), with which he and thousands of other Americans are affected.

Bryant launched his courageous trip from The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, on January 22 — his ears ringing with applause and shouts of encouragement from appreciative FA patients and the Scripps scientists making encouraging progress toward treatments and a cure for his disease.

Kyle plans to spend tomorrow, day 10 of his ride, in Phoenix, where a number of families are affected with Friedreich's ataxia and with other forms of ataxia as well. Bryant looks to finish his ride in Memphis, Tennessee, in time to help open the annual meeting of the National Ataxia Foundation on March 22nd.

"I'm one of the lucky ones that can still get around, but there are a lot of people that are affected by this disease," says Bryant. "I'm trying to do something extreme to raise awareness, just because no one knows about it."

The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have just hosted the Third International Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA) Scientific Conference at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, highlighting and advancing the exciting research leading now to a variety of clinical trials that show promise of developing treatments for this devastating disorder.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Director Story Landis, in her remarks opening the conference, said there is a "palpable sense of energy, excitement, and enthusiasm" over the scientific progress made since the FRDA gene was discovered 10 years ago. Nearly 150 leading Friedreich's ataxia scientists from around the world discussed their new insights and findings during four days of meetings at the NIH, November 9-12. The public-private partnership underlying this progress and highlighted by the conference involved the NIH, patient advocacy foundations, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry representatives, and the scientists from academic institutions.

The government sponsors of the conference were the NIH Office of Rare Diseases (NIH/ORD) and NINDS. NIH/ORD was represented at the conference by Dr. Giovanna Spinella. NINDS was represented by its Director and a number of NINDS scientists long involved in advancing the therapeutic approaches examined during this meeting.

Frank Wootten of Hooksett, NH will ride his bicycle from St. Augustine, FL to the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA next month to raise awareness and research funds to help find a cure for his son’s Friedreich's Ataxia, a devastating neurodegenerative disease. Mr. Wootten's son, Thomas, 28, is confined to a wheelchair. Thomas, nicknamed 'TK' like his grandfather and great-grandfather before him, lives with Friedreich's and his service dog James Bond in Columbia, SC.

"I am hoping that through my cycling I can help my son and many others who suffer from this horrible disorder," said Mr. Wootten.

Branford, CT — Actress Mary Stuart Masterson will host a fundraiser at 6 PM on Friday, September 22, 2006 at the Owenego Inn in Branford, to help find a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia, a devastating neurological disease. Outback Steakhouse will prepare and donate all food for the event. Local "celebrity" waiters will serve the 300 guests.

Masterson, who has starred in such movies as "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Bed of Roses," "Benny & Joon," and "Some Kind of Wonderful," was invited to host the event by Mary Caruso, whose daughters Sam and Alex have Friedreich’s ataxia. For the past several years, Caruso and her committee have worked hard to put on their annual dinner / auction / dance with the help of the Owenego Inn.

Each year Caruso and her team raise money for the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), a national, public, 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the pursuit of scientific research leading to treatments and a cure for Friedreich's ataxia. Caruso is a board member of FARA which was established in 1998 by parents and scientists.

In February, Caruso received a call from Masterson who was preparing her directorial debut in a movie that includes a child with Friedreich’s ataxia. "When I found out it was Mary Stuart Masterson I had been communicating with I almost fell through the floor," said Caruso.

Caruso’s daughters Sam and Alex went to New York City to meet with Masterson and answer questions about Friedreich’s ataxia and were interviewed on tape. Masterson also arranged for them to attend some of the taping of the movie. "We have had a great time getting to know Mary Stuart," said Alex Bode.

This year’s fundraiser "Dream a Little Dream" will begin at 6 PM September 22, with dinner sponsored by Outback Steakhouse served at 7 PM. There will be a silent auction, live auction and a raffle. There will be dancing to DJ Boppers Inc. and dinner music will be supplied by Fred Rossomando. Weekend at the Mountain View Inn, iPods, dinner at Natas Restaurant and a Hewlett Packard laptop from Advanced Office Systems are among the donations.

Tickets are $40.00 per person and can be purchased at Heart & Soul Boutique, 1700 Foxon Rd, North Branford, phone: (203) 488-7306. This event sells out every year so plan on getting your tickets soon. You can also help support this exciting effort to raise funds to support cutting-edge Friedreich's ataxia research by making a credit-card donation online.

Caruso says, "For ten years I have prayed that a well known celebrity would somehow help me with my efforts to raise money and lead to hope for a treatment for my girls. This is a very emotional year for me. Dream a Little Dream is certainly being answered by Mary Stuart being involved, maybe next year my dream will be answered with a treatment for Friedreich’s ataxia!"

A number of clinical trials are being planned for the next 12 to 18 months exploring possible promising treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia. Specific symptoms of the disease, which typically first appear between the ages of five and 15, include trouble walking, reduced hand coordination, and slurred speech. The disease also typically leads to scoliosis, heart disease, and diabetes. Most Friedreich's ataxia sufferers are eventually confined to a wheelchair and die as early adults due to associated heart disease.

About FARA

The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to accelerating research leading to treatments and a cure for Friedreich's ataxia. Since its founding in 1998 by Friedreich's ataxia-affected families and scientists, FARA has provided more than $7 million in grants to scientists around the world who are pursuing treatments. www.curefa.org

Contact

Ronald Bartek
President, Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance
(703) 413-4468
fara@curefa.org