(BW) VIMRx Elaborates on Clinical Trial Results for AIDS; Results Met Objective of Identifying a Well-Tolerated Oral Dose for Future Research

(BW) VIMRx Elaborates on Clinical Trial Results for AIDS; Results Met Objective of Identifying a Well-Tolerated Oral Dose for Future Research

BUSINESS WIRE - 44 Montgomery St, 39th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104; Tel: (415) 986-4422; FAX: (415) 788-5335 -

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1996--In response to investor inquiries, VIMRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq SmallCap:VMRX) has stated that the Phase I/Phase II clinical trial results announced on September 19, 1996, met the objective of the trial, which was to identify a well-tolerated oral dose for use in future research.

VIMRxyn, the Company's synthetic hypericin product, was administered once daily for 28 days to 12 HIV-infected patients in Thailand at a level of 0.05 mg/kg. Results indicate that this is a well tolerated oral dose with no untoward toxicity or cutaneous photosensitivity. Problems with increased photosensitivity experienced in earlier trials with VIMRxyn were not observed at this dose. In addition, based on the measurement criteria used, there was evidence of anti-HIV activity at this dosage in 10 out of the 12 patients studied.

As planned, VIMRx will utilize the safety and dosage information gained in this trial to help design the protocol for a Phase II efficacy trial. The upcoming Phase II trial, which is expected to begin in mid-1997, will involve longer dosing regimens and will test VIMRxyn in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. Combination therapy, utilizing a multiple drug regimen, has become the standard for AIDS treatment.

"The objective of the Thailand trial was to identify a safe, tolerable dose at which there was evidence of activity against the virus," said Richard L. Dunning, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIMRx. "Our objectives were met and we are encouraged to move on to further clinical trials for VIMRxyn.

"We continue to believe that VIMRxyn has significant potential and will continue to study it for a variety of indications, primarily in the anti-viral and anti-cancer areas."

VIMRx, based in Wilmington, Delaware, specializes in therapies to fight viral and retroviral diseases, as well as cancer. It has exclusive worldwide rights to develop VIMRxyn. Additional efforts are underway on the development of VIMRxyn for the treatment of brain cancer (malignant glioma) and chronic hepatitis C, as well as for use in improving safety of blood supplies.

NOTE TO INVESTORS AND EDITORS: VIMRx's press releases are available on the Internet through BusinessWire's web site at http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/vmrx.htm. The releases also are available at no charge through BusinessWire's fax-on-demand service at 800-411-8792.

CONTACT: Walter G. Montgomery or Mary Ann Dunnell (212) 484-6721

Keywords: CLINICAL TRIAL; HYPERICIN; HIV; AIDS TREATMENT; HEPATITIS

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