Alimera Sciences Appoints James R. Largent to Its Board of Directors

ATLANTA, Aug. 1, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alimera Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALIM) ("Alimera"), a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development and commercialization of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, today announced that James R. Largent has joined its Board of Directors. Mr. Largent, a consultant in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, brings extensive management experience to Alimera's Board.

With nearly 30 years in the medical industry, Mr. Largent most recently served as a medical and pharmaceutical consultant, including work with U.S. ophthalmic device company, Eyeonics Inc. While there, he led the lobbying effort that resulted in the 2005 landmark decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow for patient shared billing for premium presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses. Also in his role as a consultant, he assisted a multinational pharmaceutical and medical device company in the evaluation of strategic targets. Prior to this, Mr. Largent served in various senior management positions at Allergan, Inc., including as vice president of strategic planning where he fostered licensing deals to build product pipelines. Earlier in his career, he was vice president of strategic marketing at Allergan Medical Optics, Inc.

"It is a privilege to welcome an ophthalmic industry leader of Mr. Largent's caliber to our Board," said Dan Myers, president and CEO of Alimera. "His specific industry expertise in corporate development and strategic marketing will help drive Alimera's commercial strategy."

In addition to serving on Alimera's Board, Mr. Largent is on the board of directors of Tear Science, Inc., a privately held developer of diagnostic and therapeutic devices for the treatment of patients with dry eye disease. Mr. Largent earned a B.A. in chemistry and an M.B.A., both from the University of California, Irvine.

About Alimera Sciences, Inc.

Alimera Sciences, Inc., based in Alpharetta, Georgia, is a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development and commercialization of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Presently, Alimera is focused on diseases affecting the back of the eye, or retina. Its advanced product candidate, ILUVIEN^®, is an investigational intravitreal insert containing fluocinolone acetonide (FAc), a non-proprietary corticosteroid with demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of ocular disease.  ILUVIEN is in development for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME), a disease of the retina that affects individuals with diabetes and can lead to severe vision loss and blindness.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding, among other things, Alimera's future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for Alimera's future operations. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "contemplate," "predict," "project," "target," "likely," "potential," "continue," "will," "would," "should," "could," or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The events and circumstances reflected in Alimera's forward-looking statements may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in its forward-looking statements. Meaningful factors which could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, delay in or failure to obtain regulatory approval of Alimera's product candidates, uncertainty as to Alimera's ability to commercialize, and market acceptance of, its product candidates, the extent of government regulations, uncertainty as to relationship between the benefits of Alimera's product candidates and the risks of their side-effect profiles, dependence on third-party manufacturers to manufacture Alimera's product candidates in sufficient quantities and quality, uncertainty of clinical trial results, limited sales and marketing infrastructure, inability of Alimera's outside sales force to successfully sell and market ILUVIEN in the U.S. following regulatory approval and Alimera's ability to operate its business in compliance with the covenants and restrictions that it is subject to under its credit facility, as well as other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of Alimera's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition to the risks described above and in Alimera's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Alimera's results. There can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Alimera will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Alimera. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the outcomes stated in such forward-looking statements and estimates will be achieved.

All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Alimera cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements Alimera makes or that are made on its behalf. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release (unless another date is indicated). Alimera undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to publicly update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: For press inquiries:

         Katie Brazel, Fleishman-Hillard

         for Alimera Sciences

         404-739-0150

         katie.brazel@fleishman.com



         For investor inquiries:

         John Mills, ICR

         for Alimera Sciences

         310-954-1105

         John.Mills@ICRINC.com

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