Cambridge, UK – Acacia Pharma, a pharmaceutical company specialising in the development of supportive care drugs, today announced that Ian Kent has joined its Board of Directors as Non-executive Chairman.

Ian has a wealth of corporate experience having acted as Chairman and Non-executive Director of a number of successful biotechnology companies. He is currently Chairman of Intercytex Group plc, Argenta Discovery Limited and Avantium Holdings BV. Amongst others he chaired PIramed Ltd sold to Roche; Innovata plc merged with Vectura; Roslin Biomed sold to Geron Inc; and Imutran sold to Novartis. Previously he was Group Technical Director of Dalgety plc, Managing Director of FBC Limited and Agrochemical Director of the Boots Company. Between 1998 and 2001 he chaired the Government department responsible for all Common Agricultural Policy payments in the UK.

Acacia has made rapid and significant progress in the development of its two lead product opportunities. A Phase I study has been completed on APD405 for nausea & vomiting, and Phase II initiation is planned for 2Q 2009.  In addition, the preclinical development of APD209 for cancer cachexia has been completed, and the Company is initiating a Phase II Pilot Study 1Q 2009.

Dr Julian Gilbert, Acacia’s CEO, stated:

“I am delighted that Ian has agreed to join the Board of Acacia Pharma. He will play a vital role as an independent Chairman in helping to direct the company through a period of significant value creation.”

Ian Kent, Acacia’s Chairman, commented: “Acacia has an experienced management team, a commercially driven product pipeline and a focused, hospital business model that differentiates it from many companies in the emerging pharmaceutical sector. I therefore relish the opportunity of working with the company and to helping it deliver its strategic goals.”