Three Year Joint Research Agreement to Identify and Commercialize Additional HIV Fusion Inhibitor Peptides 

Basel, Switzerland and Durham, N.C. June 19, 2001 - Roche and Trimeris, Inc. announced today the signing of a research agreement to discover, develop and commercialize novel generations of HIV fusion inhibitor peptides. This agreement expands upon a 1999 worldwide partnership agreement between the two companies which is focused on the development and commercialization of two investigational HIV fusion inhibitors, T-20 and T-1249. T-20 is currently in phase III clinical trials, and T-1249 is in phase I/II clinical trials.

Under the terms of the three-year agreement, which is renewable thereafter on an annual basis, Roche and Trimeris will equally fund worldwide research, development and commercialization costs, as well as share equally in profits from worldwide sales of new HIV fusion inhibitor peptides discovered after July 1, 1999. Fusion inhibitors represent a new class of HIV treatment that blocks the virus before it enters a host cell. By focusing on expanding the class beyond T-20 and T-1249, the next generation of fusion inhibitors has the potential to increase future treatment options for people living with HIV disease.

‘Increasing numbers of people have HIV which has developed resistance to the classes of anti-HIV drugs currently available ‘ said David Reddy, Franchise Leader- Virology, Roche. ‘New generations of drugs are urgently needed to address this growing need. Together, Roche and Trimeris will continue advancing this novel fusion inhibitor class.’

‘Together with our partners, we intend to utilize multiple approaches to continue to improve and expand the fusion inhibitor class. ‘ said Dani P. Bolognesi, co-founder and CEO, of Trimeris.

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-oriented healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins. Roche’s innovative products and services address needs for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, thus enhancing people’s well-being and quality of life.

Trimeris is a development stage, biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents that block viral infection by inhibiting viral fusion with host cells. Trimeris' lead product candidate, T-20, which inhibits fusion of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with host cells, is currently in Phase III clinical trials and has received fast-track designation from the FDA. Trimeris' second fusion inhibitor product candidate, T-1249, has also received fast-track designation from the FDA and is in Phase I/II clinical testing.

For more information on Trimeris, Inc., visit the company's web site at www.trimeris.com.

Note: Except for any historical information presented herein, matters presented in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The results of Trimeris' previous clinical trials are not necessarily indicative of future clinical trials, and future results could differ materially from the results presented herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the ‘Risk Factors’ section included in Trimeris' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2001.

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