Quark Biotech to Present at 2005 Aspen Lung Conference

FREMONT, Calif., May 26 -- Quark Biotech, Inc. willpresent findings from a study that outline the role of the hypoxia induciblegene RTP801 in cigarette smoking-induced pulmonary injury at the upcomingannual Aspen Lung Conference in Aspen, Colorado from June 13th-17th, 2005.The study was conducted in wild type mice and in mice where expression ofRTP801 was suppressed. Dr. Rubin M. Tuder, Associate Professor of Pathologyand Director of Cardiopulmonary Pathology at Johns Hopkins MedicalInstitutions and Quark's collaborator and leader of the study, will presentthe results. Quark discovered RTP801 in 1997 and was recently granted three broad U.S.patents for covering the gene, its encoded protein and their inhibition.RTP801, a unique and direct gene target for hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1), is involved in pathogenesis of several diseases associated withischemia/oxidative stress.

About Quark Biotech, Inc.
Quark Biotech, Inc. is a privately held development-stage,biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Fremont, CA, [and Rehovot, Israel]. Through innovativecombination of gene silencing and DNA microarray technology, Quark haspioneered and patented its BiFARTM platform for high-throughput functionalprofiling, allowing significant advances in the identification of target genesand proteins. This technology allows the company to develop conceptually noveldrugs that provide previously unavailable benefits to patients. Quark iscurrently harvesting novel targets identified using this enabling foundationtechnology. Quark has focused development efforts on treatment of fibrotic andischemic diseases of the eye, kidney and lungs, in indications with clearunmet medical needs. Quark corporate product development teams and research facilities arebased in Fremont, CA with research facilities also in Ness-Ziona, Israel.

Additional information is available at http://www.quarkbiotech.com. PRNewswire-FirstCall
SOURCE Quark Biotech, Inc.