Anesiva to merge with Arcion Therapeutics

Anesiva, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANSV) announced today that the stockholders of Anesiva approved the merger with Arcion Therapeutics, Inc. ("Arcion") during its December 3, 2009 shareholder meeting. In connection with the merger, Anesiva stockholders also approved a one-for-forty reverse stock split, which will be effected upon the close of the merger.

Closure of the merger remains contingent upon Anesiva achieving multiple other closing conditions, including: i) working with creditors to settle total outstanding trade payables at $3.5 million or less; ii) resolution on all of its on-going litigation in a manner satisfactory to Arcion; and iii) financing the company by selling new shares of its common stock resulting in gross cash proceeds of at least $20.0 million. On August 5, 2009, Anesiva filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on Form 8-K a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger with Arca Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anesiva, Arcion and, with respect to Articles V and IX only, each of the Arcion stockholders listed on Schedule I thereto (the "Merger Agreement") detailing all of the closing conditions. The Merger Agreement requires that all of the conditions be achieved by December 31, 2009.