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DUBLIN, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTX), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics, today announced that Tom Heightman, Ph.D., director, medicinal chemistry, will co-chair and present at the 2nd World Epigenetics Summit: Unlocking the Commercial and Therapeutic Potential of Epigenetics Research on December 6 to 8, 2011 in Munich.

Dr. Heightmanas presentation will occur on Dec 8^th at 4:20 pm CET. He will discuss the Pyramida" fragment-based drug discovery platform and its application towards epigenetic targets, and the current development of SGI-110, the Companyas second generation DNA hypomethylating agent. SGI-110 is a follow on to Astex Pharmaceuticalsa marketed product, Dacogen (decitabine) for Injection, and is currently in a phase 1-2 clinical trial in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia patients. The Company is working with several cancer centers and the Stand Up to Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team on SGI-110.

About Astex Pharmaceuticals

Astex Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics with a focus on oncology. The Company is developing a proprietary pipeline of novel therapies and is creating de-risked products for partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies. Astex Pharmaceuticals, formerly SuperGen, developed Dacogen (decitabine) for Injection and receives significant royalties on global sales.

For more information about Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., please visit [ http://www.astx.com ].