Nile Therapeutics Reports 2009 Second Quarter Financial Results

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, August 13, 2009 -- Nile Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NLTX), a company focused on the development of novel therapeutics for heart failure patients, today announced its second quarter financial results for 2009.

For the second quarter of 2009, Nile reported a net loss of approximately $2.5 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to a net loss of approximately $3.8 million, or $0.16 per share, during the second quarter of 2008. Weighted-average shares outstanding for the quarter were 24.1 million.

Net cash used in operating activities in the second quarter of 2009 was $1.8 million. As of June 30, 2009, Nile had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.8 million compared to approximately $5.5 million as of December 31, 2008.

Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of 2009, Nile completed a private placement of common stock and warrants to purchase additional stock for aggregate proceeds of approximately $3.4 million. The private placement closed on July 15, 2009.

In August 2009, Nile completed dosing the first patient in a single-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study designed to provide additional information on the safety and tolerability of CD-NP when infused for up to 72 hours in patients with acute heart failure and mild to moderate renal insufficiency. Additional endpoints will include assessments of CD-NP’s ability to relieve symptoms of acute heart failure and its effects on biomarkers of heart failure and renal function. The study is expected to enroll approximately 30 to 40 patients in the United States, Germany and Israel and will evaluate up to 3 dosages of CD-NP.

Nile expects to announce interim results of the study later this year, with results from the full study available in 2010.

About Nile Therapeutics

Nile Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative products for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and other areas of unmet medical needs. Nile is initially focusing its efforts on developing its lead compound, CD-NP, a novel rationally designed chimeric peptide in clinical studies for the treatment of heart failure, and CU-NP, a novel rationally designed natriuretic peptide. A key component of the company's strategy is to acquire the global rights to additional compounds to expand its portfolio. More information on Nile can be found at http://www.nilethera.com.

Chief Financial Officer

Nile Therapeutics, Inc.

Safe Harbor Paragraph for Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development, regulatory processes, clinical trial timelines, anticipated benefits of CD-NP, Nile’s strategy, future operations, outlook, milestones, the timing and success of Nile's product development, future financial position, future financial results, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Nile may not actually achieve these plans, intentions or expectations and Nile cautions investors not to place undue reliance on Nile’s forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements Nile makes. Various important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that Nile makes include Nile’s need to raise additional capital to fund its product development programs to completion, Nile’s reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates, and its lack of experience in developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products. Additional risks are described in greater detail in the reports Nile files with Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2009 and amended on April 23, 2009. Nile is providing this information as of the date of this press release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,

	2009			2008			2009			2008

Grant income	$	-		$	-			-		$	-

Operating expenses:
Research and development		1,103,428			2,888,654			2,428,032			4,866,838
General and administrative		1,397,689			960,164			1,860,157			2,158,503

Total operating expenses		2,501,117			3,848,818			4,288,189			7,025,341

Loss from operations		(2,501,117	)		(3,848,818	)		(4,288,189	)		(7,025,341	)

Other income (expense):
Interest income		5,886			82,848			20,573			232,284
Interest expense		-			-			-			(137	)
Other expense		(4,859	)		(11,131	)		(11,282	)		(42,844	)

Total other income (expense)		1,027			71,717			9,291			189,303

	$	(2,500,090	)	$	(3,777,101	)		(4,278,898	)	$	(6,836,038	)

Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.16	)		(0.18	)	$	(0.28	)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding		24,149,405			24,106,341			24,149,405			24,103,010

Summary Balance Sheet Data

(in thousands)

	June 30, 2009		December 31, 2008

Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,770	$	5,501
Total assets	$	2,254	$	6,435
Stockholders' equity	$	1,814	$	5,104