Optimer reports grant of inducement stock options

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPTR) announced today that on March 31, 2011 the Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors approved the grant of inducement stock options to purchase an aggregate of 258,000 shares of common stock to 7 new employees.

Each stock option has an exercise price per share equal to $11.83, the fair market value on the grant date, and vests over four years, with 25% of the shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the applicable vesting commencement date and 1/48 of the shares vesting monthly thereafter, subject to the new employee's continued service relationship with the Company.  Each stock option also has a ten year term and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and the stock option agreement pursuant to which the option was granted.

The stock options were granted as inducements material to the new employees entering into employment with Optimer in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).