Tranzyme Pharma Names Former Gilead Executive Franck Rousseau, M.D. Chief Medical Officer

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – October 18, 2011 – Tranzyme Pharma today announced the appointment of Franck Rousseau, M.D. to the newly created position of Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Rousseau will oversee the development of Tranzyme’s clinical and preclinical portfolio including its most advanced drug candidates, ulimorelin and TZP-102. Ulimorelin is an intravenous ghrelin agonist currently in two Phase 3 pivotal trials for the acceleration of gastrointestinal (GI) recovery following surgery in order to reduce the duration of postoperative ileus (POI). POI refers to the lack of GI motility after surgery before normal bowel function resumes. TZP-102 is an orally-administered ghrelin agonist currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial for diabetic gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is a debilitating, condition characterized by chronic symptoms, such as nausea, early satiety, bloating and upper abdominal pain, that can be caused by any disease that induces neuromuscular dysfunction of the GI tract, notably diabetes.

“Franck brings over 15 years of experience in clinical and pharmaceutical research to Tranzyme’s senior management team. His experience leading drug development teams across multiple therapeutic areas makes him an ideal choice to lead Tranzyme’s development efforts,” said Vipin Garg, President and CEO of Tranzyme Pharma. “We are excited to have someone on board with Franck’s extensive background and achievements, including his considerable experience in filing New Drug Applications (NDAs) with both US and European regulatory authorities, as well as a proven track record attaining marketing approval for several important drugs.”

Dr. Rousseau joins Tranzyme Pharma from Gilead Sciences where he most recently served as Therapeutic Area Head and Vice President Hepatic Diseases, and oversaw the clinical development for several drugs which ultimately received global marketing approval. From 2003 to 2007, he held the position of Vice President, Clinical Research.During his tenure at Gilead, Dr. Rousseau was also head of the company’s Durham facility. From 1997 to 2002, Dr. Rousseau was Chief Medical Officer of Triangle Pharmaceuticals until its acquisition by Gilead in 2003.He began his pharmaceutical industry career in 1993 at Wellcome Lab in Paris, France, followed by 2 years with Glaxo Wellcome in Research Triangle Park, N.C. from 1995-1997.

Dr. Rousseau holds a Doctorate of Medicine and a Degree of Epidemiology and Nosocomial Infections from the University of Paris 7, Paris, France.He also holds a Degree of Statistics from the University of Paris 6, Paris, France.

“Tranzyme’s two lead drug candidates hold great promise to meet the critical unmet need for efficacious and well tolerated GI prokinetic agents,” said Dr. Rousseau.”I look forward to helping Tranzyme bring these products to market.”

About Tranzyme Pharma
Tranzyme Pharma is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel, mechanism-based therapeutics for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders. While approximately 20 percent of adults worldwide are affected by these persistent and recurring conditions which disrupt the normal movement of food throughout the GI tract, currently there are a limited number of safe and effective treatment options. Tranzyme is developing an intravenous drug, ulimorelin, for patients in acute (hospital-based) settings, as well as an oral drug (TZP-102) for chronic conditions. Ulimorelin is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials and TZP-102 is entering Phase 2b. Together these product candidates target a significant underserved market. By leveraging its proprietary drug discovery technology, Tranzyme is committed to pursuing first-in-class medicines to address areas of significant unmet medical needs.

Further information about Tranzyme Pharma can be found on the Company’s web site at www.tranzyme.com.

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