Targacept Announces Participation in Upcoming Conferences

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Targacept, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRGT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel NNR Therapeutics(TM), today announced that J. Donald deBethizy, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to present at the following conferences:

• The Deutsche Bank 2011 BioFEST at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston on Monday, December 5, 2011 at 2:50 p.m. Eastern Time; and
• The Oppenheimer & Co. 22^nd Annual Healthcare Conference at The Waldorf=Astoria in New York City on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 2:05 p.m. Eastern Time.

Each presentation will be webcast and accessible from the Investor Relations page of Targacept’s website, www.targacept.com. To ensure a timely connection to either webcast, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archived version of each webcast will be available for replay on the Investor Calendar section of the Investor Relations page of Targacept’s website for at least two weeks following the corresponding event.

About Targacept

Targacept is developing a diverse pipeline of innovative NNR Therapeutics(TM) for difficult-to-treat diseases and disorders of the nervous system. NNR Therapeutics selectively modulate the activity of specific neuronal nicotinic receptors, a unique class of proteins that regulate vital biological functions that are impaired in various disease states. Targacept’s lead program, TC-5214, is being co-developed with AstraZeneca and is in Phase 3 clinical trials as an adjunct treatment for major depressive disorder. Targacept leverages its scientific leadership and proprietary drug discovery platform Pentad(TM) to generate novel small molecule product candidates to fuel its pipeline and attract significant collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies. For more information, please visit www.targacept.com.

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