EPIX Pharmaceuticals to Present Preclinical Data at the 237th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition

EPIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: EPIX) a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics through the use of its proprietary and highly efficient in silico drug discovery platform today announced that it is scheduled to present preclinical data on EPX-102216 during the Medicinal Chemistry session of the 237^th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition in Salt Lake City, Utah.

On March 22, 2009 Jian Lin, Ph.D., associate director, medicinal chemistry at EPIX is scheduled to present two posters entitled, "Discovery of Piperidine-4-Carboxamides as Potent Chemokine Receptor CCR2b Antagonists. Part I: Structure-Based Design and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies” and "Discovery of Piperidine-4-Carboxamides as Potent Chemokine Receptor CCR2b Antagonists. Part II: Reduction of hERG Ion Channel Affinity and CYP’s Liability.”

These data stem from EPIX’s wholly-owned preclinical program, EPX-102216, a highly selective, oral CCR2 antagonist with an excellent safety profile in animals that is being further developed for the treatment of pain. CCR2 antagonists represent a novel mechanism of action for reducing the inflammatory response in several diseases by preventing macrophages (a type of inflammatory immune cell) from accumulating in body tissues.

EPX-102216 was internally discovered and is a part of EPIX’s ongoing preclinical and discovery programs, which collectively target G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, pain and cystic fibrosis.

About EPIX

EPIX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics through the use of its proprietary and highly efficient in silico drug discovery platform. The company has a pipeline of internally-discovered drug candidates currently in clinical development to treat diseases of the central nervous system (see www.trialforAD.com) and lung conditions. EPIX also has collaborations with leading organizations, including GlaxoSmithKline, Amgen and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics.

This news release contains express or implied forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on current expectations of management. These statements relate to, among other things, our expectations regarding the potential of EPX-102216 and the content and timing of corporate presentations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional information regarding these and other risks that we face, see the disclosure contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.