ROCHE, TRIMERIS EXTEND RESEARCH AGREEMENT ON FUSION INHIBITORS

Swiss drugmaker Roche and U.S.-based Trimeris have mutually agreed to amend their research agreement to extend the research term by additional two years from Jan. 1, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2008.

The extension of the research term governs the joint research efforts by Trimeris and Roche on next-generation fusion inhibitor peptides created under the research agreement, which was first signed by the parties in 2000. Fuzeon, approved in the U.S., Canada and the European Union, is the first in a new class of anti-HIV drugs. Research, development and commercialization costs will continue to be split equally by Trimeris and Roche, as will any profits from the worldwide sale of products covered under the amended agreement.

The development work has focused on two distinct peptide classes, exemplified by TRI-999 and TRI-1144. Based on recently completed preclinical studies, TRI-1144 met the criteria established by Trimeris and Roche for further development and is being advanced as the lead candidate.