AtheroGenics Announces Five Abstracts Accepted for the American Diabetes Association's 68th Annual Scientific Sessions

ATLANTA, GA , a pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, announced today that five abstracts, which describe both clinical and pre-clinical diabetes and cardiovascular data from studies of its novel drug candidate, AGI-1067, have been accepted for the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 68th Scientific Sessions taking place at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Calif. from June 6-10, 2008.

A "Late Breaking Clinical Studies" oral presentation entitled, "Delay in Progression to Type 2 Diabetes in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Treated with a Novel Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, AGI-1067: Evidence from ARISE," is scheduled for Monday, June 9, at 5:00 p.m. PT by Jean-Claude Tardif, M.D., Director of Research, Professor of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal.

The ADA's Annual Scientific Sessions is the nation's largest meeting for endocrinologists and other health care professionals involved in diabetes research and the delivery of diabetes care.

Other AtheroGenics abstracts include:

--  "AGI-1067 Improves Glycemic Control When Added to Current Regimens in
    Patients with Type 2 Diabetes." This poster, 443-P, will be presented by
    Eric Klug, M.D., Sunninghill Hospital, Sunninghill, Gauteng, South Africa,
    and will be displayed from Saturday, June 7, through Monday, June 9, 2008
    in the Poster Hall.

--  "Effects of AGI-1067 on Cardiovascular (CV) Risk in Patients with Type
    2 Diabetes or Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) in the ARISE Trial." This
    abstract, 2065-PO, by lead author John J. McMurray, M.D., Professor of
    Medical Cardiology, University of Glasgow, and Honorary Consultant
    Cardiologist, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, was accepted for
    publication in the ADA Scientific Sessions Abstract Book.

--  "AGI-1067, a Novel Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent, Improves
    Insulin Sensitivity in a Rat Model of Diet-Induced Obesity," Cynthia L.
    Sundell, Ph.D., Vice President of Pharmacology, AtheroGenics. This poster,
    345-P, will be displayed from Saturday, June 7 through Monday, June 9, 2008
    in the Poster Hall.

--  "AGI-1067, a Novel Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent, Inhibits
    Activation of JNK, IRS-1 Serine Phosphorylation and Cytokine Production in
    Adipocytes," Xilin Chen, Ph.D., Senior Principal Scientist, AtheroGenics.
    This poster, 1262-P, will be displayed from Saturday, June 7 through
    Monday, June 9, 2008 in the Poster Hall.
    

About AGI-1067

AGI-1067 is a novel oral drug candidate with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. AGI-1067 works by selectively inhibiting signaling pathways that are activated in response to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory stimuli. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been implicated as playing a key role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetes.

AtheroGenics recently announced interim results of ANDES, a double-blind, placebo controlled study for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. ANDES is evaluating two dose levels of AGI-1067 given once daily over six months. The primary efficacy endpoint is change in hemoglobin A1c (A1c) from baseline compared to placebo in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The interim analysis of 806 patients who completed three months in the study showed dose-related, statistically significant reductions in A1c. Final results of the trial are expected in the third quarter 2008.

About AtheroGenics

AtheroGenics is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, including diabetes and coronary heart disease (atherosclerosis). The Company's lead antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug candidate, AGI-1067, is being studied in a Phase III clinical trial known as ANDES (AGI-1067 as a Novel Anti-Diabetic Agent Evaluation Study), for the treatment of diabetes. In addition, the Company has other clinical and preclinical anti-inflammatory compounds, including AGI-1096, an oral agent for the prevention of organ transplant rejection. For more information about AtheroGenics, please visit http://www.atherogenics.com.

CONTACTS: AtheroGenics, Inc. Mark P. Colonnese Executive Vice President 678-336-2511 Email Contact Media Inquiries Jayme Maniatis / Dana Conti Schwartz Communications, Inc. 781-684-0770 Email Contact Investor Inquiries Lilian Stern Stern Investor Relations, Inc. 212-362-1200 Email Contact