MDRNA, Inc. Resizes Board of Directors

BOTHELL, WA--(Marketwire - May 21, 2009) - MDRNA, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA) announced today that as a result of its 2009 annual meeting on May 20, 2009, it has resized its Board of Directors to establish a five person Board consistent with the Company's cost containment efforts and overall focus as an RNAi drug discovery and pre-clinical biotech company. The new Board of Directors, effective immediately, will consist of Bruce R. Thaw, Esq., Chairman of the Board; Daniel Peters; James E. Rothman, Ph.D.; Gregory Sessler and J. Michael French, MDRNA President & CEO. Retiring members of the Board of Directors are Steven C. Quay, M.D., Ph.D., Alex Cross, Ph.D., and Jack Pollock.

"I would like to express my thanks to the retiring members of the Board, Dr. Steven Quay, Dr. Alex Cross, and Mr. Jack Pollock, for their service and contributions to the Company," stated J. Michael French, President and Chief Executive Officer of MDRNA. "Given the current business climate, global economic situation and our focus on the discovery and pre-clinical development of novel siRNA therapeutics and delivery systems, the entire Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interest of the Company to establish a smaller number of directors. I believe the directors of the new Board have the right combination of knowledge, skills and experience needed to help us continue to build the premier RNAi company in the space. I look forward to working closely with my fellow Directors to effect a successful execution of our 2009 business plan and continue to build value for our shareholders."

About MDRNA, Inc.

MDRNA is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutic products based on RNA interference (RNAi). Our goal is to improve human health by combining novel RNAi-based compounds and proprietary peptide- and liposomal-based drug delivery technologies to provide superior therapeutic options. Our multi-disciplinary portfolio of capabilities includes molecular biology, cellular biology, formulation expertise, peptide and alkylated amino acid chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and bioinformatics. We are applying this expertise to a single, integrated drug discovery platform that will be the engine for our clinical pipeline and a versatile platform for establishing broad therapeutic partnerships. We are also building on new technologies, such as UsiRNAs that incorporate the non-nucleotide moiety Unlocked Nucleobase Analog (UNA) within the siRNA molecule, that we expect to lead to safer and more effective RNAi-based therapeutics. By combining broad expertise in siRNA science with proven delivery platforms and a strong and growing IP position, MDRNA is well positioned as a leading RNAi therapeutics company and value-added collaborator for our research partners. Additional information about MDRNA, Inc. is available at http://www.mdrnainc.com.

MDRNA Forward-Looking Statement

Statements made in this news release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Federal Securities laws that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the ability of MDRNA to obtain additional funding; (ii) the ability of MDRNA to attract and/or maintain manufacturing, research, development and commercialization partners; (iii) the ability of MDRNA and/or a partner to successfully complete product research and development, including preclinical and clinical studies and commercialization; (iv) the ability of MDRNA and/or a partner to obtain required governmental approvals; and (v) the ability of MDRNA and/or a partner to develop and commercialize products that can compete favorably with those of competitors. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements are contained in MDRNA's most recent periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. MDRNA assumes no obligation to update and supplement forward-looking statements because of subsequent events.

Contact Information: Contact: Matthew D. Haines Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications (212) 209-3874 McKinney|Chicago (Media) Alan Zachary (312) 944-6784 x 316 or (708) 707-6834