Optimer Pharmaceuticals Announces Change to Board of Directors

SAN DIEGO–(EMWNews)–Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTR) today announced that Martin

C. Muenchbach, Ph.D., an Investment Manager at Bellevue Asset Management

AG, has notified the Company that he will be stepping down from his

position as a member of the Board of Directors as of August 1, 2008. Dr.

Muenchbach joined the Board in December 2005, advising Optimer as a

private company and then working with the Company in its transition to a

public company. Dr. Muenchbach’s departure is

not related to relations with the board members or with the company. Dr.

Muenchbach will continue to follow his pursuits in venture capital,

serving on the Board of many privately held companies. Optimer is

currently in the process of identifying candidates to serve on its Board

of Directors.

“We would like to thank Martin for his many

contributions and dedicated service to the Company. His board experience

and leadership have been invaluable as the company has grown from a

private company through its maturation as a public company,” said

Michael N. Chang, Ph.D., CEO and President of Optimer. “We

wish him great success in his future endeavors.”

About Optimer Pharmaceuticals

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on

discovering, developing and commercializing innovative anti-infective

products for the treatment of serious infections. Optimer has two

late-stage anti-infective product candidates. OPT-80, currently in two

pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials, is being developed for the treatment of Clostridium

difficile infection, the most common hospital-acquired diarrhea.

Prulifloxacin, also in two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials, is an

antibiotic being developed for the treatment of travelers’

diarrhea, a form of infectious diarrhea. Additional information

regarding Optimer can be found at http://www.optimerpharma.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements included in this press release that are not a description of

historical facts are forward-looking statements, including without

limitation all statements related to the anticipated resignation of

current directors and the identification of additional directors. Words

such as “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “expects”, “may”,

“intend”, “will”, “goal” and similar expressions are intended to

identify forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking

statements should not be regarded as a representation by Optimer that

any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially

from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties

inherent in Optimer’s business including, without limitation, the risks

detailed in Optimer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange

Commission.

Major Newsire & Press Release Distribution with Basic Starting at only $19 and Complete OTCBB / Financial Distribution only $89

Get Unlimited Organic Website Traffic to your Website 
TheNFG.com now offers Organic Lead Generation & Traffic Solutions