Genesis Pharma S.A.

IDM Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDMI - News) today announced that its subsidiary, IDM S.A., has signed an exclusive licensing and marketing agreement for an un-disclosed product targeting cancer in South East Europe with GENESIS Pharma, a privately owned Greek pharmaceutical company. These countries (Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Former Yugoslavian Republic Of Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia) represent approximately 50 million inhabitants.

In exchange, IDM will receive an upfront license fee and milestone payments on reaching certain sales levels in the territory.

The un-disclosed product targeting cancer has received Orphan Drug Status in both the U.S. and EU, and the company is working with U.S. and EU regulatory agencies regarding an appropriate pathway for product marketing approval. IDM expects to receive regulatory approval for the product in the U.S. and EU in 2007.

IDM Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative products that activate the immune system to treat cancer. IDM is currently developing two types of products: the first is designed to destroy cancer cells by activating innate immunity, and the second to prevent tumor recurrence by triggering a specific adaptive immune response.

IDM Pharma currently has 5 products in clinical development. The most advanced product has completed a Phase III clinical trial in oncology and the rest products are in Phase II and I, in oncology as well.

IDM Pharma has a major product development partnership with SANOFI-AVENTIS in cancer immunotherapy. MEDAREX and SANOFI-AVENTIS are corporate partners and shareholders of IDM or its affiliate since 1993 and 2001, respectively.

Since its foundation in 1997, GENESIS Pharma -- one of the fastest growing Greek pharmaceutical companies -- has established itself as the premier marketer and distributor of biopharmaceutical products in Southeastern Europe. With its core business activity focusing on in-licensing, marketing, sales, and distribution of specialized pharmaceutical products stemming from biotechnology research, GENESIS Pharma has forged powerful strategic alliances through exclusive agreements with leading American and European companies of cellular and molecular technology, such as Amgen, Biogen Idec, Chiron, Cephalon, Shire and Vifor. The company has introduced and marketed an impressive portfolio of products in the region covering the fields of the Central Nervous System (CNS), Hematology / Oncology, Nephrology and Genetic disorders. Some products introduced by GENESIS Pharma include Aranesp, Avonex, Granulokine, Kineret, Modiodal, Neulasta, Tobi and Venofer.