For the second quarter of 2009, Rigel reported a net loss of $29.9 million, or $0.81 per share, compared to a net loss of $34.0 million, or $0.93 per share, in the second quarter of 2008. Weighted average shares outstanding for the second quarters of 2009 and 2008 were 36.7 million and 36.5 million, respectively.

Rigel reported total operating expenses of $30.0 million in the second quarter of 2009, compared to $35.3 million in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to decreases in stock-based compensation expense and cost savings as a result of the restructuring implemented in the first quarter of 2009. Stock-based compensation expenses decreased from $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2008 to $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2009, primarily due to a higher valuation of options granted in the first quarter of 2008 and the full expense recognition of the majority of those options by the end of 2008.

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, Rigel reported a net loss of $59.8 million, or $1.63 per share, compared to a net loss in the first six months of 2008 of $61.3 million, or $1.73 per share.

As of June 30, 2009, Rigel had cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities of $79.9 million compared to $134.5 million as of December 31, 2008. The Company believes that its existing capital resources are sufficient to maintain its current development priorities through at least the end of the second quarter of 2010.

"With the results from our Phase 2b clinical trials for R788 now in hand, our focus is to secure a collaboration partner for R788," said James M. Gower, chairman and chief executive officer of Rigel. "As I have previously mentioned, our objective with R788 in rheumatoid arthritis is to position the product after methotrexate and before biological therapies are used. We have shown excellent results in TASKi1 and TASKi2 studies, and we believe that patient population represents the larger market opportunity for this product. We will also be preparing for the Phase 3 clinical trials for R788 with a collaboration partner," he added.

About Rigel (www.rigel.com)

Rigel is a clinical-stage drug development company that discovers and develops novel, small-molecule drugs for the treatment of inflammatory/autoimmune diseases and metabolic diseases. Our pioneering research focuses on intracellular signaling pathways and related targets that are critical to disease mechanisms.