DARA BioSciences (DARA) to Present Company Update at 2012 BIO Convention

DARA BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: DARA) announced today that Dr. David J. Drutz, Chief Executive Officer, will provide a comprehensive update on the company’s products and pipeline at the 2012 BIO International Convention in Boston later this month. DARA’s presentation is part of the BIO Business Forum and is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 20, Red Sox Room at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. DARA BioSciences focuses on oncology treatment and supportive care products.

Dr. Drutz will discuss the development and commercialization of DARA’s product portfolio, which includes Bionect^®,a topical treatment for skin irritation and burns associated with radiation therapy, introduced to the market June 6, 2012; Soltamox^®, the first and only oral liquid formulation of tamoxifen, widely used in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, on track for launch in 2012; and KRN5500, under development for the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer, a condition with no current adequate therapy.

Attendees will be able to arrange one-on-one meetings with DARA in advance through the conference website 2012 BIO International Convention at http://convention.bio.org/.

The BIO International Convention is hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and is the preeminent biotechnology meeting worldwide. Presenters at the BIO Business Forum will share breakthroughs in medicine, diagnostics, the environment, energy production, business operations, financing, partnerships, policy issues and food and agriculture.

About DARA BioSciences, Inc.

DARA is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of oncology treatment and supportive care products. DARA sharpened its focus in oncology through its January 2012 acquisition of Oncogenerix, Inc., which holds the exclusive U.S. marketing rights to Soltamox^®. Soltamox^® is a novel oral liquid formulation of tamoxifen, a product used widely in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Soltamox^® is the only FDA approved oral liquid version of tamoxifen and fulfills a vital clinical need for patients who cannot tolerate existing tablet formulations of this drug. DARA plans to begin marketing Soltamox^® in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2012.

DARA has also obtained exclusive U.S. commercial rights from Innocutis Holdings, LLC for Bionect^® (hyaluronic acid sodium salt, 0.2%) within the oncology and radiation oncology marketplace. Bionect is an FDA-cleared product indicated for the management of irritation of the skin as well as first and second degree burns. Bionectis currently being promoted and sold by Innocutis in the dermatology market. DARA launched this product in Q2 2012.

DARA has obtained, in addition, the U.S. rights to gemcitabine, a widely used generic chemotherapeutic cancer drug, from Uman Pharma. The Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for gemcitabine is expected to be filed with the FDA later this year.

DARA is also developing KRN5500 for the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer. KRN5500 has successfully completed a Phase 2a study and has been designated as a Fast Track Drug by the FDA. DARA is working with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to design an additional clinical trial under joint DARA-NCI auspices while considering further internal Phase 2 development.

In addition, DARA’s pipeline includes DB959, a novel, non-TZD dual delta/gamma PPAR agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. DARA has completed Phase 1 testing of DB959 and is presently pursuing opportunities to out-license this product. DARA also has rights to other PPAR and DPPIV-inhibitor compounds for which it intends to seek out-licensing or partnering opportunities.

For more information please visit our web site at http://www.darabio.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

All statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially for DARA from those projected. Those factors include risks and uncertainties relating to DARA’s ability to timely commercialize and generate revenues or profits from Bionect^®, Soltamox^® or other products given that DARA only recently hired its initial sales force and DARA’s lack of history as a revenue-generating company, FDA and other regulatory risks relating to DARA’s ability to market Bionect, Soltamox or other products in the U.S. or elsewhere, DARA’s ability to develop and bring new products to market as anticipated, DARA’s current cash position and its need to raise additional capital in order to be able to continue to fund its operations, the current regulatory environment in which the company develops and sells its products, the market acceptance of those products, dependence on partners, successful performance under collaborative and other commercial agreements, competition, the strength of DARA’s intellectual property and the intellectual property of others, the potential delisting of DARA’s common stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market, risks and uncertainties relating to DARA’s ability to successfully integrate Oncogenerix and other risk factors identified in the documents DARA has filed, or will file, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Copies of DARA’s filings with the SEC may be obtained from the SEC Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. DARA expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in DARA’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based. DARA BioSciences and the DARA logo are trademarks of DARA BioSciences, Inc.