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SCYNEXIS, Inc. Selected As a Primary Research Partner for Merial

Duluth, Ga., and Research Triangle Park, N.C., September 29, 2005 - Merial and SCYNEXIS, Inc. announced today that they have formed a research collaboration naming SCYNEXIS as a primary animal health discovery research partner for Merial.

The agreement could run up to 15 years and result in $150 million (U.S.) in research funding. Additionally, milestone and royalty payments will be made to SCYNEXIS as research milestones are reached and sales from commercial products result from SCYNEXIS’ pharmaceutical research in animal health solutions.

"SCYNEXIS is extremely pleased to have established a comprehensive relationship with Merial, a leader in pharmaceuticals to enhance animal health. This partnership involves the establishment of a complete Research and Development infrastructure including SCYNEXIS’ cutting-edge technologies such as MEDCHEM-FACTORY® and HEOS®, which will complement Merial’s well-known tradition of excellence and innovation," said SCYNEXIS President and CEO Dr. Yves J. Ribeill.

"Merial views SCYNEXIS as a full partner in our aggressive program of research and new product development,” said Dr. Kevin Schultz, head of Merial Research and Development. “SCYNEXIS has world-class capabilities in custom molecule synthesis and chemical process development. We are looking forward to a very productive relationship."

About Merial
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,000 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2004 sales were in excess of $1.8 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis. For more information please see www.merial.com.

About SCYNEXIS
SCYNEXIS is a drug discovery and development company focused on medicinal, analytical and process chemistry, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. By combining its chemists’ expertise with its proprietary MEDCHEM-FACTORY® technology and Hit Explorer Operating System (HEOS®), SCYNEXIS provides improved speed and productivity in the chemical validation of drug targets. SCYNEXIS also offers novel hit generation compounds, hit explosion and lead optimization services as well as process optimization, purification and analysis of compound libraries, in vitro ADMET and the production of clinical samples in its GMP facility. For more information, visit www.scynexis.com.

Media Contacts:
SCYNEXIS:
Rick Rountree
Rick Rountree Communications
919-878-1144
rick@rickrountree.com
Terry Marquardt
919-544-8600
terry.marquardt@scynexis.com

MERIAL:
Steve Dickinson
678-638-3682

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