Investors & Media

Lasker Award Winners' Research into Molecular Motors Formed the Foundation of Company's Research and Development Activities

South San Francisco, CA, September 11, 2012 - Cytokinetics, Incorporated (Nasdaq: CYTK) extends congratulations to Dr. James Spudich and Dr. Ronald Vale, winners of the 2012 Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research.  The Lasker Awards are among the most respected science prizes in the world.  Since 1945, the Lasker Awards Program has recognized the contributions of scientists, physicians, and public servants who have made major advances in the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of human disease.

Drs. Spudich and Vale share this award for their innovative research relating to cytoskeletal motor proteins, the protein machines that transport cargoes within cells, segregate chromosomes and divide cells, contract muscles, and enable cell motility.  Dr. Spudich is the Douglass M. and Nola Leishman Professor in Cardiovascular Disease and Professor of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology at Stanford University.  Dr. Vale is the William K. Hamilton Distinguished Professor of Anesthesia and Professor and Vice Chair of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of California, San Francisco.  Drs. Spudich and Vale are co-founders of Cytokinetics.

"Today, we extend congratulations to our founders in connection with their receipt of the prestigious Lasker Award," stated Robert I. Blum, Cytokinetics' President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Their pioneering research in the biochemistry and biophysics of molecular motors formed the cornerstone of our initial discovery research at Cytokinetics.  It is our company's privilege to now carry forward biopharmaceutical programs into later stage research and development that are directed towards grievous illnesses and that continue to benefit from their valued contributions as scientific advisors."

About Cytokinetics

Cytokinetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics that modulate muscle function for the potential treatment of serious diseases and medical conditions. Cytokinetics' lead drug candidate from its cardiac muscle contractility program, omecamtiv mecarbil, is in Phase II clinical development for the potential treatment of heart failure. Amgen Inc. holds an exclusive license worldwide (excluding Japan) to develop and commercialize omecamtiv mecarbil and related compounds, subject to Cytokinetics' specified development and commercialization participation rights. Cytokinetics is independently developing tirasemtiv (formerly CK-2017357), a skeletal muscle activator, as a potential treatment for diseases and conditions associated with aging, muscle wasting or neuromuscular dysfunction. Tirasemtiv is currently the subject of a Phase II clinical trials program and has been granted orphan drug designation and fast track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and orphan medicinal product designation by the European Medicines Agency for the potential treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a debilitating disease of neuromuscular impairment in which treatment with tirasemtiv produced potentially clinically relevant pharmacodynamic effects in Phase II trials. Cytokinetics is also conducting research on compounds that inhibit smooth muscle contractility and which may be useful as potential treatments for diseases and conditions associated with excessive smooth muscle contraction, such as bronchoconstriction associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All of these drug candidates and potential drug candidates have arisen from Cytokinetics' research activities and are directed towards the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a complex biological infrastructure that plays a fundamental role within every human cell. Additional information about Cytokinetics can be obtained at www.cytokinetics.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Cytokinetics disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Act's Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Cytokinetics' research and development activities, including the properties and potential benefits of  Cytokinetics' drug candidates and potential drug candidates. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, potential difficulties or delays in the development, testing, regulatory approval and production of Cytokinetics' drug candidates and potential drug candidates that could slow or prevent clinical development or product approval, including risks that current and past results of clinical trials or preclinical studies may not be indicative of future clinical trials results and that Cytokinetics' drug candidates and potential drug candidates may have unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy. For further information regarding these and other risks related to Cytokinetics' business, investors should consult Cytokinetics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Jodi L. Goldstein
Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications
(650) 624-3000