* Anthony P. Adamis, MD, will head Jerini Ophthalmic, Inc. to advance development of Jerini's ophthalmic compounds * Phase I clinical development of Jerini's alpha5beta1 antagonist for AMD planned for 2007 * Additional compounds from Jerini's pipeline targeting ophthalmic pathways to be further developed Berlin, March 20, 2006 - Jerini AG (FSE:JI4) announced today the establishment of a wholly-owned US subsidiary, Jerini Ophthalmic, Inc., which will focus on the development of novel therapeutics for eye diseases. Dr. Anthony P. Adamis (co-founder of Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) will head Jerini Ophthalmic, Inc. as President and CEO. Most recently, Dr. Adamis served as Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President of Research and Development at OSI Eyetech, where he helped lead the development, 2004 FDA approval, and market launch of Macugen®, the first anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug for ophthalmology. The initial funding of Jerini Ophthalmic, Inc. is solely provided by Jerini AG. "We are extremely proud to have Dr. Adamis join our team as head of Jerini Ophthalmic. His experience and leadership in the ophthalmology field and highly successful track record will ensure the advancement of our very promising ophthalmic drug candidates," stated Jens Schneider-Mergener, CEO of Jerini AG. "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to take these novel drug candidates forward in ophthalmology. The science underlying these compounds is compelling, and our objective at Jerini Ophthalmic will be to translate that science into effective therapies for patients suffering from eye disease," said Dr. Adamis. Jerini Ophthalmic, Inc. will focus on the rapid development of novel, highly specific therapeutics for eye diseases along with extended-release formulations for chronic eye diseases. Using its Peptides-to-Drugs (P2D) technology platform, Jerini has developed several compounds targeting pathways associated with ophthalmic disease indications. One of these compounds, JSM 6427, an alpha5beta1 integrin antagonist, has been biologically validated for therapeutic use in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The start of a Phase I clinical trial for JSM6427 is planned for 2007. Jerini's C5a receptor antagonists also target pathways central to the development of AMD, and these will be further developed by Jerini Ophthalmic. In addition, Jerini Ophthalmic intends to further expand its pipeline through the development of other Jerini compounds and in-licensing activities. Dr. Adamis is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed articles published in scientific literature. He has also served on the Harvard Medical School faculty and has held the positions of Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Retina Research Institute for Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Audio Webcast and Conference Call Jerini will host an audio webcast including an open question-and-answer session on March 20, 2007 to discuss the above information. Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 Time: 4:00 p.m. CET / 11:00 a.m. ET Telephone Access: +49 (0)69 9897 2633 Germany +44 (0)20 7365 1832 UK +1 718 354 1157 USA +41 (0)1 800 9659 Switzerland Please dial-in ten minutes prior to start of the conference call. Online Access The replay of the audio webcast will be available on Jerini's website (www.jerini.com) two hours after completion of the conference call. About Jerini AG Jerini is a pharmaceutical company based in Berlin, Germany, focusing on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel peptide-based drugs. The company pursues disease indications that have limited or no treatment options and has built a drug pipeline composed of its own programs, as well as others in collaboration with established partners. In September 2006, Jerini reported Phase III clinical results of Icatibant in the subcutaneous treatment of hereditary angioedema. Based on its technology platform, Jerini has also established several in-house development programs, which address indications within the therapeutic areas of ophthalmology, oncology, and inflammatory disease. ISIN: DE0006787476 For questions, please contact: Stacy Wiedenmann Director Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Jerini AG Invalidenstr. 130 10115 Berlin T + 49 - 30 - 97893 - 285 X + 49 - 30 - 97893 - 599 [email protected] --- End of Message --- Jerini AG Invalidenstrasse 130 Berlin Germany WKN: 678747; ISIN: DE0006787476; Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, TECH All Share; Listed: Prime Standard in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse, Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse, Freiverkehr in Bayerische Börse München, Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin Bremen, Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart, Freiverkehr in Hanseatische Wertpapierbörse zu Hamburg, Freiverkehr in Börse Düsseldorf;