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KENILWORTH, NJ & SAN MATEO, CA June 9, 2016 – Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Afferent Pharmaceuticals announced today that the two companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Merck will acquire this privately held pharmaceutical company. Afferent Pharmaceuticals is a leader in the development of therapeutic candidates targeting the P2X3 receptor for the treatment of common, poorly-managed, neurogenic conditions. Afferent’s lead investigational candidate, AF-219, is a selective, non-narcotic, orally-administered P2X3 antagonist currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b clinical trial for the treatment of refractory, chronic cough as well as in a Phase 2 clinical trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with cough.

San Mateo, CA – April 25, 2016 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, announced today that it will present four papers at the upcoming American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2016 International Conference, to be held May 13-18, 2016 in San Francisco. The abstracts will cover clinical and preclinical data related to AF-219 and AF-130, the company’s orally available, first-in-class compounds that selectively block P2X3 receptors.

Afferent Pharmaceuticals named one of "The Hottest Startups of 2015" by Forbes.

San Mateo, CA – December 8, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, announced today initiation of the company’s Phase 1 trial of AF-130, a selective and differentiated P2X3 antagonist. Afferent’s Phase 1, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial is designed to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single ascending doses and, in a second cohort, multiple ascending doses of AF-130 administered to healthy subjects. Further information regarding the study can be found at https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

San Mateo, CA – November 19, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, today announced the appointments of Prabha N. Ibrahim, Ph.D., as chief technology officer and Michelle Carpenter, J.D., RAC, as vice president of regulatory affairs and project management. The Company is expanding its executive team as it advances its lead program and first-in-class drug candidate, AF-219, to late-stage clinical development and potential registration. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic, and orally administered P2X3 antagonist that targets the mechanism by which certain nerve fibers become hyper-sensitized and can lead to chronic and debilitating symptoms.

San Mateo, CA, November 11, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial with AF-219 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients (IPF) with cough. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic and orally administered P2X3 antagonist that targets the mechanism by which certain nerve fibers become hyper-sensitized and can lead to chronic and debilitating symptoms. The study is expected to enroll at least 30 patients at more than 15 sites in the United States, including leading pulmonary fibrosis specialty treatment centers.

SAN MATEO, Calif – September 28, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds targeting P2X3 for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, such as chronic cough, today announced positive top-line results from its Phase 2b dose escalation clinical trial of AF-219 in chronic cough patients. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic and orally administered P2X3 antagonist that targets the mechanism by which certain nerve fibers become hyper-sensitized and can lead to chronic and debilitating symptoms. The results of this clinical trial will be presented at a scientific meeting in the future.

SAN MATEO, Calif.—July 8, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of neurogenic respiratory, urologic and pain disorders, today announced the completion of a $55 million Series C financing. The proceeds will fund the advancement of the company’s first-in-class drug candidate AF-219 for the treatment of pathologic cough, including for cough in IPF patients, as well as advancement of its next candidate compound to the clinic for cardiovascular and other diseases. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic and orally administered P2X3 antagonist. The oversubscribed Series C financing was led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, with participation from other crossover funds Jennison Associates LLC (on behalf of certain clients), New Leaf Ventures, Partner Fund Management, Redmile Group, Tekla Healthcare Investors and Tekla Life Science Investors, in addition to an undisclosed blue chip public investment fund.