Rigel to Present Programs at Four Upcoming Scientific Conferences

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) today announced that it will present at four upcoming scientific conferences. Details are as follows:

Keystone Symposia: Molecular Mechanisms of Angiogenesis in Development and Disease -- Vancouver, BC

    Date: Thursday, January 17
    Poster:  Session 2, #220
    Title: Suppression of angiogenesis and tumor growth by novel small
    molecule inhibitors of the Axl receptor tyrosine kinase

    Keystone Symposia: Viral Immunity -- Keystone, CO
    Date: Wednesday, January 23
    Poster:  Session 3, #335
    Title: Inhibition of HIV replication by pharmacologic restoration of
    Apobec3G antiviral function

AACR: Ubiquitin and Cancer: From Molecular Targets and Mechanisms to the Clinic -- San Diego, CA

    Date: Wednesday, January 23
    Poster:  Session A, #A29
    Title: Identification of novel SCF inhibitors
    *Additional Oral Presentation: Thursday, January 24, 4:00-5:00pm

Keystone Symposia: Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin Action and Resistance -- Breckenridge, CO

    Date: Friday, January 25
    Poster:  Session 3, #350
    Title: Small molecule adiponectin mimetics improve insulin sensitivity in
    a diabetic mouse model

About Rigel (http://www.rigel.com)

Rigel is a clinical-stage drug development company that discovers and develops novel, small-molecule drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, cancer and viral diseases. Our goal is to file one new investigative new drug (IND) application in a significant indication each year. We have achieved this goal since 2002. Our pioneering research focuses on intracellular signaling pathways and related targets that are critical to disease mechanisms. Rigel's productivity has resulted in strategic collaborations with large pharmaceutical partners to develop and market our product candidates. We have product development programs in inflammatory/autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, thrombocytopenia, and asthma and allergy, as well as in cancer.

Contact: Raul Rodriguez

Phone: 650.624.1302

Email: invrel@rigel.com

SOURCE Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Released January 15, 2008