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New Entry Inhibitor Discovery Program
Trimeris and ChemBridge Research Laboratories Sign Antiviral Drug Discovery and Development Agreement; Collaboration to Target Discovery and Development of Small Molecule Entry Inhibitors of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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MORRISVILLE, N.C. & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)----Trimeris, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRMS) and ChemBridge Research Laboratories, Inc. (CRL) today announced the signing of a collaborative agreement to discover and develop small molecule entry inhibitors of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Under the terms of the agreement, Trimeris will work with CRL to identify small molecule inhibitor compounds against two HIV entry targets, gp41 and gp120. The companies will collaborate to identify orally active lead compounds and then optimize preclinical candidates. Trimeris will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercial activities on a worldwide basis for all compounds and products resulting from the collaboration. Trimeris will provide funding to CRL to support medicinal chemistry efforts, and CRL will work exclusively with Trimeris on these programs. CRL will be eligible to receive milestone payments based on the achievement of specific development and commercial events, and may also be eligible to receive royalties on net product sales.
"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with one of the leading medicinal chemistry-based drug discovery companies to identify novel inhibitors of these important targets," commented Steven D. Skolsky, Chief Executive Officer of Trimeris. "We have gained a deep insight and understanding of the mechanism of HIV entry through our efforts to develop and launch FUZEON, the first HIV entry inhibitor to reach the market. We intend to use this extensive knowledge base in collaboration with CRL to further expand our pipeline of HIV entry inhibitor product candidates."
"We are delighted to enter into a strategic drug discovery and development alliance with one of the recognized leaders in the antiviral drug arena," said Eugene Vaisberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CRL and ChemBridge Corporation. "In this collaboration, CRL will provide key medicinal chemistry support to this leading biopharmaceutical company by taking major responsibility for the chemistry part of two challenging small molecule drug discovery programs. We are excited to have the opportunity to help Trimeris' proven research and development team expand their pipeline beyond peptides to include orally available small molecule viral entry inhibitors."
About Viral Entry
Viral entry is a complex process by which viruses attach to and penetrate host cells. Inhibition of the HIV entry process offers a unique mechanism of action to potentially treat this important viral disease.
About CRL
ChemBridge Research Laboratories, Inc. (CRL) is a medicinal chemistry-based small molecule drug discovery company. Privately held, CRL was founded in 2000 as an independent spin-off of ChemBridge Corporation, a leading global discovery chemistry services provider. CRL is located in San Diego and has 48 scientists (30 Ph.D.) led by research management with substantial experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. CRL is focused on internal drug discovery projects as well as on collaborative medicinal chemistry support, hit-to-lead and lead optimization programs across multiple therapeutic areas. CRL's proven research team has a distinctive track record of consistently exceeding the goals on all of its research collaborations including major multi-year strategic alliances with Pfizer, Inc. and Merck & Co. CRL's internal drug discovery efforts leverage the company's comprehensive medicinal chemistry platform and its core expertise in kinase and GPCR areas. CRL's internal projects include one obesity and two oncology programs. For more information about CRL please visit the Company's website at www.chembridgeresearch.com
About Trimeris, Inc.
Trimeris, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRMS) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of viral disease. The core technology platform of fusion inhibition is based on blocking viral entry into host cells. FUZEON, approved in the U.S., Canada and European Union, is the first in a new class of anti-HIV drugs called fusion inhibitors. Trimeris is developing FUZEON and future generations of peptide fusion inhibitors in collaboration with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. For more information about Trimeris, please visit the Company's website at http://www.trimeris.com.
Trimeris Safe Harbor Statement
This document and any attachments may contain forward-looking information about the Company's financial results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that they use words such as "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: there is uncertainty regarding the success of research and development activities, regulatory authorizations and product commercializations; the results of our previous clinical trials are not necessarily indicative of future clinical trials; and our drug candidates are based upon novel technology, are difficult and expensive to manufacture and may cause unexpected side effects. For a detailed description of these factors, see Trimeris' Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2005 and its periodic reports filed with the SEC.
Trimeris, Inc. Andrew Graham, 919-419-6050 or ChemBridge Research Laboratories, Inc. (CRL) & ChemBridge Corporation Eugene Vaisberg, 858-451-7400
06/13/2005 16:00 ET
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