The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $8.5 million, or $0.25 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter in 2009, compared to a net loss of $22.7 million, or $0.67 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2008.

Collaboration revenue in the second quarter of 2009 was $4.7 million compared to net contra revenue of $0.6 million for the same period in 2008. Research and development expenses were $10.1 million for the second quarter in 2009 compared to $18.3 million for the same period in 2008. General and administrative expenses were $3.0 million for the second quarter in 2009 compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2008.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company had $60.5 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. This compares to $73.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2008.

More detailed financial information and analysis may be found in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2009.

Operational Highlights

"In the second quarter we focused on two near-term priorities: advancing the clinical program for STA-9090, our Hsp90 inhibitor, and initiating partnership discussions with the goal of concluding an agreement in the next six to nine months," said Safi Bahcall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Synta. "STA-9090 has the potential to be the leading program in the Hsp90 category, a category which has generated a high level of interest in the medical oncology community. We and our investigators have been encouraged by both the emerging clinical data for STA-9090 and by the strong pre-clinical data package, which shows a clear differentiation from other Hsp90 inhibitors, including an improved potency and safety profile."

Synta currently has three clinical trials of STA-9090 underway and expects to begin a once-weekly dosing trial in hematologic cancers shortly. Synta plans to initiate several additional company- and investigator-sponsored trials of STA-9090 in the second half of 2009 in order to rapidly explore the potential clinical role of STA-9090 in treating both solid and liquid tumors. Early clinical data could be presented at a scientific meeting as soon as late 2009.

In addition to making strong progress in advancing our STA-9090 clinical program, we have begun discussions with over 20 potential partners about multiple programs at the Company under a variety of different possible partnership structures," said Dr. Bahcall. "The combination of our current cash position, our current research partnership, and the high level of interest we are seeing in our unpartnered assets gives us confidence in both our near term and our long term financial and strategic outlook. We believe we will be able to maintain a strong balance sheet, execute a robust development program for STA-9090, and preserve substantial product rights, across our pipeline, for our shareholders."

Synta continues to collect and analyze data from the Phase 3 trial of elesclomol in metastatic melanoma (SYMMETRYSM), including overall survival results. An independent scientific advisory panel will meet in the third quarter to review the data collected to date and provide initial recommendations to Synta on future development plans for elesclomol. Overall survival data from the trial is expected to mature in Q4 2009 or Q1 2010, after which a final analysis of the results will be conducted.

Financial Guidance

As a result of the implementation of cost-saving measures and based upon our current operating plans, we expect to end 2009 with approximately $40 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.