Harlow, UK and Cambridge, MA, January 29, 2009 – Argenta Discovery Ltd., the contract research and Respiratory R & D company, and Zafgen, Inc., a private venture-backed biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel obesity therapeutics, today announced that they have entered into a major drug discovery collaboration. Under the terms of the agreement, scientists from the two companies will exploit Argenta’s expertise in computer-aided drug design, medicinal chemistry, assay development, in vitro screening, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics to accelerate development candidate nomination for one of Zafgen’s innovative therapeutics programs for obesity.

Dr. Thomas Hughes, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Zafgen said, "We are looking forward to working with Argenta Discovery to accelerate one of our important discovery programs towards development. They have a solid and successful track record in drug discovery and through their contracts have placed many compounds into clinical development. Working closely with the Argenta team, we are confident that we will rapidly identify and advance drug candidates for Zafgen. Obesity is a global epidemic, affecting an estimated 400 million people worldwide, which also leads to an increasing prevalence of obesity-related co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes. Zafgen’s unique approach of discovering and developing anti-obesity agents that target adipose vasculature to shrink fat cells to help the body sustain a lean, healthy state offers the possibility of a real breakthrough in this area, where there is considerable unmet medical need.”

Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Christopher Ashton, Argenta’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are delighted that Zafgen has chosen to collaborate with Argenta on this exciting program. Their decision to work with us is based on our contract research team’s acknowledged expertise, and our ability to offer a fully integrated approach to drug discovery. We look forward to building a successful and long-term partnership with Zafgen.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the agreement does provide options to expand the relationship.

About Zafgen, Inc.
Zafgen is the first biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel obesity therapeutics that directly target and shrink fat tissue to help the body regain and sustain a lean, healthy state. Adipose tissue (fat) is composed primarily of cells that store unused calories, as well as an extensive network of blood vessels that support the tissue. The nature of the tissue and the interplay between fat cells and the supporting blood vessels play a critical and active role in determining the overall size of the fat tissue, and therefore, an individual’s weight. Zafgen’s groundbreaking approach targets obesity at its root cause by safely manipulating and shrinking the blood supply to fat tissue, driving the loss of fat and a return to a more healthy body weight. Zafgen's leadership and scientific advisors include the leading experts in obesity, metabolic disorders and medicinal chemistry. Founded in 2005, the company is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  

About Argenta Discovery Ltd.
Argenta Discovery was founded in August 2000. Argenta’s contract research division provides integrated drug discovery services, comprising medicinal chemistry, computer-aided drug design (CADD), biochemistry, in vitro screening and DMPK, to leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. Argenta’s industry experienced scientists deliver rapid hit finding capabilities and have the skills to optimise early-stage compounds, quickly and effectively, into potential drug candidates.

Argenta Discovery has leading expertise in chronic respiratory diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis. Argenta is undertaking a number of internal proprietary programmes with the goal of taking these to the completion of Phase IIa ‘proof-of-concept’ in humans.

Argenta is located in the United Kingdom and has facilities in Harlow, Welwyn Garden City, and Slough. For more information, visit www.argentadiscovery.com.

©2009 Argenta Discovery Ltd. and Zafgen, Inc. All rights reserved.Argenta Discovery Limited is a company incorporated and registered in England with registered number 3671653 whose registered office and principal place of business is at 8/9 Spire Green Centre, Flex Meadow, Harlow, CM19 5TR, United Kingdom, and whose VAT registration number is GB 848 2268 02.

Zafgen, Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, whose principal place of business is at 148 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.