SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                               -----------------

                                   FORM 10-Q

[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange
    Act of 1934.

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001

                                      OR

[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
    Act of 1934.

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

                       Commission File Number: 000-31135


                         INSPIRE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                         -----------------------------
            (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

         Delaware                                       04-3209022
         --------                                       ----------
 (State or Other Jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
 Incorporation or Organization)                       Identification No.)

 4222 Emperor Boulevard, Suite 470
    Durham, North Carolina                               27703-8466
    ----------------------                               ----------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                 (zip code)

      Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (919) 941-9777

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                              YES  X     NO
                                   --      ------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of common stock, as of the latest
practical date: 25,729,526 as of August 10, 2001.


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


PART I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- ------------------------------

Item 1. Financial Statements
        ---------------------
                           Condensed Balance Sheets
               (in thousands except share and per share amounts)
                                  (Unaudited)





                                                                            June 30,         December 31,
                                                                              2001               2000
                                                                       -----------------   -----------------
                                                                                    

Assets
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                                                   $53,904             $35,109
    Short-term investments                                                       14,912              44,026
    Other receivables                                                                44                 209
    Interest receivable                                                             226                 364
    Prepaid expenses                                                                422                 415
                                                                       -----------------   -----------------

Total current assets                                                             69,508              80,123

Property and equipment, net                                                       1,395               1,214
Other assets                                                                      4,363               1,656
                                                                       -----------------   -----------------
Total assets                                                                    $75,266             $82,993
                                                                       =================   =================

Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable                                                             $1,065                $430
    Accrued expenses                                                                565                 852
    Notes payable                                                                    27                  26
    Capital leases, current portion                                                 368                 289
    Deferred revenue, current portion                                             6,642               5,618
                                                                       -----------------   -----------------

Total current liabilities                                                         8,667               7,215

Capital leases, excluding current portion                                           700                 523
Deferred revenue, excluding current portion                                       1,917                 750
                                                                       -----------------   -----------------

Total liabilities                                                                11,284               8,488

Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock, $0.001 par value, 56,000,000 shares authorized;
       25,728,809 and 25,515,087 shares issued and outstanding
       at June 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively                          26                  26
    Additional paid-in capital                                                  125,086             126,081
    Other comprehensive income                                                       10                  51
    Deferred compensation                                                       (2,124)             (3,782)
    Deficit accumulated during the development stage                           (59,016)            (47,871)
                                                                       -----------------   -----------------

Total stockholders' equity                                                       63,982              74,505

                                                                       -----------------   -----------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                      $75,266             $82,993
                                                                       =================   =================




   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial
                                  statements.

                                       2


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


                      Condensed Statements of Operations
                    (in thousands except per share amounts)
                                  (Unaudited)






                                                                                                           Cumulative
                                                                                                             From
                                                                                                            Inception
                                                                                                             October
                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED          SIX MONTHS ENDED       (28, 1993)
                                                         ------------------          ----------------          to
                                                       June 30,      June 30,      June 30,     June 30,     June 30,
                                                         2001          2000          2001         2000         2001
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------
                                                                                             

Revenues:
   Collaborative research agreements                       $1,404        $1,155        $2,809       $2,309      $9,641

                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------
Operating expenses:
   Research and development (includes $128, $235,
   $269, $462 and $1,690, respectively, of
   stock-based compensation)                                6,798         3,158        13,633        5,702      55,587
   General and administrative (includes $169, $170,
   $338, $339 and $1,919, respectively, of
   stock-based compensation)                                1,532           848         2,773        1,688      15,250
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------

   Total operating expenses                                 8,330         4,006        16,406        7,390      70,837
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------

   Operating loss                                         (6,926)       (2,851)      (13,597)      (5,081)    (61,196)
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------
Other income (expense), net:
   Interest income                                          1,065           286         2,533          582       5,762
   Interest expense                                          (47)         (178)          (81)        (365)     (1,740)
   Loss on disposal of property and equipment                   -             -             -            -       (366)
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------

   Other income (expense), net                              1,018           108         2,452          217       3,656
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------

   Loss before provision for income taxes                 (5,908)       (2,743)      (11,145)      (4,864)    (57,540)

Provision for income taxes:                                     -             -             -        (150)       (820)
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------

Net loss:                                                 (5,908)       (2,743)      (11,145)      (5,014)    (58,360)

Preferred stock dividends:                                      -         (257)             -        (499)       (656)
                                                      ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------

Net loss available to common stockholders:               ($5,908)      ($3,000)     ($11,145)     ($5,513)   ($59,016)
                                                      ============  ============ ============= ============ ===========

Net loss per common share-basic and diluted:               ($0.23)       ($1.15)       ($0.43)      ($2.16)
                                                      ============  ============ ============= ============

Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
  and diluted:                                         25,723,157     2,604,134    25,664,602    2,550,319
                                                      ============  ============ ============= ============




             The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
                        condensed financial statements.


                                       3


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)



                      Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                                (in thousands)
                                  (Unaudited)







                                                                                                Cumulative
                                                                                                   From
                                                                                                 Inception
                                                                                                 (October
                                                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED         28, 1993)
                                                                        ----------------            to
                                                                    June 30,       June 30,      June 30,
                                                                      2001           2000          2001
                                                                  -------------- -------------- -------------
                                                                                       

Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net loss                                                            ($11,145)       ($5,014)     ($58,360)
   Adjustments  to  reconcile  net  loss  to  net  cash  used  in
   operating activities:
       Stock issued for exclusive licenses                                    -              -           144
       Stock issued for consulting services                                   -              -            72
       Depreciation and amortization                                        306            276         3,879
       Amortization of stock-based compensation                             608            801         3,301
       Amortization of debt issuance costs                                  789            320           788
       Loss on disposal of property and equipment                             -              -           366
       Deferred revenue                                                   2,191          (809)         8,559
       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
            Other receivables                                               165             19          (45)
            Interest receivable                                             138           (72)         (226)
            Prepaid expenses                                                (7)          (633)         (422)
            Other assets                                                      5            (1)          (77)
            Accounts payable                                                635          (371)         1,067
            Accrued expenses                                              (287)            124           567
                                                                  -------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash (used in) operating activities:                                (6,602)        (5,360)      (40,387)
                                                                  -------------- -------------- -------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchase of investments                                             (73,128)        (3,107)     (128,149)
   Proceeds from sale of investments                                     98,701              -       109,747
   Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                               -              -           127
   Sale of certificate of deposit                                             -              -          (78)
   Purchases of property and equipment                                    (487)          (352)       (2,442)
                                                                  -------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities:                     25,086        (3,459)      (20,795)
                                                                  -------------- -------------- -------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from bridge loans                                                 -              -           780
   Proceeds  from  issuance of notes  payable  and capital  lease
   obligations                                                              401              -           809
   Payments on notes payable                                                  -              -         (400)
   Issuance of common stock                                                  55             21        70,402
   Issuance of convertible preferred stock                                    -              -        45,061
   Payments on capital lease obligations                                  (145)          (171)       (1,566)
                                                                  -------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities:                        311          (150)       115,086
                                                                  -------------- -------------- -------------

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents:                        18,795        (8,969)        53,904
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period:                          35,109         22,728             -
                                                                  -------------- -------------- -------------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period:                               $53,904        $13,759       $53,904
                                                                  ============== ============== =============



             The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
                        condensed financial statements.


                                       4


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)



NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------
           (amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts)

1. Organization

     Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") was founded on October 28,
1993 to discover and develop novel pharmaceutical products to treat diseases
characterized by deficiencies in the body's innate defense mechanisms of mucosal
hydration and mucociliary clearance, as well as other non-mucosal disorders. The
Company's technologies are based in part on exclusive license agreements with
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for rights to certain
developments from the founder's laboratories. Our lead products target
respiratory and ophthalmic diseases with inadequate current treatments.

The Company is considered a development stage enterprise. Since inception, the
Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts towards establishing its
business and research and development programs.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Unaudited Interim Financial Statements

     The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations for interim financial
information. These financial statements are unaudited and, in the opinion of
management, include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the balance
sheets, statements of operations, and statements of cash flows for the periods
presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
condensed or omitted pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission rules
and regulations. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. These financial
statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements
and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2000 included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 20, 2001.

Use of Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

     Revenue is recognized under collaborative research agreements when services
are performed or when contractual obligations are met. Nonrefundable fees
received at the initiation of the collaborative agreements for which the Company
has an ongoing research and development commitment are deferred and recognized
ratably over the period of the related research and development commitment.
Milestone payments under collaboration agreements and research agreements are
recognized as revenues ratably over the remaining period of the Company's
research and development commitment beginning on the date the Company achieves
the indicated milestone and such achievement is acknowledged by the
collaborative partner, which generally coincides with the receipt of the
milestone payment.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

     Basic net income (loss) per common share ("basic EPS") is computed by
dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per

                                       5


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)



common share ("diluted EPS") is computed by dividing net income (loss) available
to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares and
dilutive potential common share equivalents then outstanding. Potential common
shares consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and
warrants and conversion of convertible preferred stock. The calculation of
diluted EPS for the six months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 does not include
1,709,903 and 16,885,673, respectively, of potential shares of common stock
equivalents, as their impact would be antidilutive.

Segment Reporting

     The Company has determined that it did not have any separately reportable
operating segments as of June 30, 2001.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     At June 30, 2001, the Company had $10 of unrealized gain on investments
that is classified as other comprehensive income and is disclosed as a component
of stockholders' equity. The Company had no items of other comprehensive income
at June 30, 2000.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Statements Nos. 141 ("SFAS No. 141"), "Business Combinations" and 142 ("SFAS No.
142"), "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". SFAS No. 141 eliminates pooling-
of-interests accounting prospectively and provides guidance on purchase
accounting related to the recognition of intangible assets and accounting for
negative goodwill. SFAS No. 142 changes the accounting for goodwill from an
amortization method to an impairment-only approach. SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No.
142 are effective for all business combinations completed after June 30, 2001.
The Company intends to adopt SFAS No. 142 as of January 1, 2002, as required,
and as of July 1, 2001 for goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June
30, 2001. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS Nos. 141 and 142
will have any impact on its financial statements or results of operations.


                                       6


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)




Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
        of Operations
        -------------

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------
(amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2001 and 2000
- -----------------------------------------

Revenues

     Revenues are derived from collaborative research and development agreements
with strategic partners. Revenues were $1,404 for the three months ended June
30, 2001 compared to $1,155 for the same period in 2000, an increase of 22%.
This increase was due to revenue recognized during the three months ended June
30, 2001 related to the upfront payment received from Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. in
the fourth quarter of 2000. We also recognized revenues related to milestone
payments from Kissei Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. and Genentech, Inc., which are
recognized over the period of ongoing research and development commitment under
the collaborative research agreements with the respective companies.

Research and Development

     Our research and development expenses are comprised of personnel and
related costs and the costs of external contract research organizations that are
performing research and development activities, including clinical studies, for
us, and the costs of filing and maintaining our patent portfolio.

     Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2001
were $6,798 compared to $3,158 for the same period in 2000, an increase of 115%.
The increase in research and development expenses is due to increased external
costs related to research costs, preclinical testing, toxicology studies,
clinical supplies, clinical development activities, including continual
enrollment in Phase III clinical trials, and increased internal costs necessary
to perform and/or manage these activities. We expect to incur increases in
future periods as later phases of development typically involve an increase in
the scope of studies and the number of patients treated.

General and Administrative Expenses

     General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs,
facilities costs, business development costs and professional expenses, such as
legal and accounting fees. General and administrative expenses were $1,532 for
the three months ended June 30, 2001 compared to $848 for the same period in
2000, an increase of 81%. The increase in general and administrative expenses is
due to increased costs in legal, marketing and operations, which support the
Company's strategic business collaborations and operations as a publicly traded
company.

Other Income (Expense), Net

     Other income (expense), net consists of interest income earned on cash
deposits and investments, reduced by interest expense on notes payable and
capital lease obligations, and gains and losses on sales of property and
equipment. Other income (expense), net was $1,018 for the three months ended
June 30, 2001 compared to $108 for the same period in 2000, an increase of 843%.
The increase was due to interest income earned from larger cash balances
partially offset by interest expense related to leased equipment.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2001 and 2000
- ---------------------------------------

Revenues

     Revenues are derived from collaborative research and development agreements
with strategic partners. Revenues were $2,809 for the six months ended June 30,
2001 compared to $2,309 for the same period in 2000, an increase of 22%. This
increase was due to revenue recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2001
related to

                                       7


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


an upfront payment received from Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. in the fourth quarter
of 2000. We also recognized revenues related to milestone payments from Kissei
Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. and Genentech, Inc., which are recognized over the
period of ongoing research and development commitment under the collaborative
research agreements with the respective companies.

Research and Development

     Our research and development expenses are comprised of personnel and
related costs and the costs of external contract research organizations that are
performing research and development activities, including clinical studies, for
us, and the costs of filing and maintaining our patent portfolio.

     Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2001
were $13,633 compared to $5,702 for the same period in 2000, an increase of
139%. The increase in research and development expenses is due to increased
external costs related to research costs, preclinical testing, toxicology
studies, clinical supplies, clinical development activities, including continual
enrollment in Phase III clinical trials, and increased internal costs necessary
to perform and/or manage these activities. We expect to incur increases in
future periods as later phases of development typically involve an increase in
the scope of studies and the number of patients treated.

General and Administrative Expenses

     General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs,
facilities costs, business development costs and professional expenses, such as
legal and accounting fees. General and administrative expenses were $2,773 for
the six months ended June 30, 2001 compared to $1,688 for the same period in
2000, an increase of 64%. The increase in general and administrative expenses is
due to increased costs in legal, marketing and operations, which support the
Company's strategic business collaborations and operations as a publicly traded
company.

Other Income (Expense), Net

     Other income (expense), net consists of interest income earned on cash
deposits and investments, reduced by interest expense on notes payable and
capital lease obligations, and gains and losses on sales of property and
equipment. Other income (expense), net was $2,452 for the six months ended June
30, 2001 compared to $217 for the same period in 2000, an increase of 1030%. The
increase was due to interest income earned from larger cash balances partially
offset by interest expense related to leased equipment.

Provision for Income Taxes

     The provision for income taxes was zero for the six months ended June 30,
2001, compared to $150 for the same period in 2000. The decrease in the
provision for income taxes is attributable to withholding taxes paid on
milestone payments from Japanese collaborative partners during the six months
ended June 30, 2000. No milestone payments were received from Japanese
collaborative partners during the six months ended June 30, 2001

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------

     The Company historically has financed its operations through the sale of
equity securities, including private sales of preferred stock and the sale of
common stock in our initial public offering.

     The Company will not generate revenues, other than license and milestone
payments, from the sale of its products unless or until it or its licensees
receive marketing clearance from the FDA and appropriate governmental agencies
in other countries. The Company cannot predict the timing of any potential
marketing clearance nor can assurances be given that the FDA or such agencies
will approve any of the Company's products.

     As of June 30, 2001, cash and cash equivalents totaled $53,904 compared to
$35,109 as of December 31, 2000, an increase of 54%. The increase in cash and
cash equivalents is due to a net decrease in investments of $25,573,


                                       8


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


proceeds from notes payable of $401, issuance of common stock of $55 offset by
cash used by operations for the six months ended June 30, 2001 of $6,602,
purchase of property and equipment of $487, and the payment of capital lease
obligations of $145.

     Cash used by operations of $6,602 in the six months ended June 30, 2001,
represented a net loss of $11,145, an increase in prepaid expenses of $7, a
decrease in accrued expenses of $287, partially offset by a net increase in non-
cash charges, including deferred revenue, of $3,894, a decrease in other
receivables, interest receivable and other assets that totals $308 and an
increase in accounts payable of $635.

     Cash used by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2001
consisted of net proceeds of $25,573 from the purchase and sale of investment
grade securities reduced by the purchase of property and equipment of $487.

     Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30,
2001 consisted of the issuance of common stock of $55, the proceeds of a note
payable of $401 offset by the payment of capital lease obligations of $145.

IMPACT OF INFLATION
- -------------------

     Although it is difficult to predict the impact of inflation on costs and
revenues of our Company in connection with our products, we do not anticipate
that inflation will materially impact our cost of operation or the profitability
of our products when marketed.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
- --------------------

     The Company operates in a highly competitive environment that involves a
number of risks, some of which are beyond the our control. Statements contained
in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of
Operations which are not historical facts are, or may constitute, forward
looking statements. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks
that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from expected
results. These risks are discussed in Part II, Item 5 of this report, titled
"Other Information - Risk Factors" and in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. Although we believe the expectations
reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee
future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
        -----------------------------------------------------------

     The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates
to the increase or decrease in the amount of interest income the Company can
earn on its investment portfolio and on the increase or decrease in the amount
of interest expense it must pay with respect to various outstanding debt
instruments. The Company's risk associated with fluctuating interest expense is
limited, however, to capital lease obligations. The interest rates are closely
tied to market rates and the Company's investments in interest rate sensitive
financial instruments. Under the Company's current policies, it does not use
interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate
changes. The Company ensures the safety and preservation of invested principal
funds by limiting default risk, market risk and reinvestment risk. The Company
reduces default risk by investing in investment grade securities. A hypothetical
100 basis point drop in interest rates along the entire interest rate yield
curve would not significantly affect the fair value of the Company's interest
sensitive financial instruments at June 30, 2001 or June 30, 2000. Declines in
interest rates over time will, however, reduce the Company's interest income
while increases in interest rates over time will increase interest expense.


                                       9


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)




PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION
- ---------------------------

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
        ------------------------------------------
        (in thousands)

     (d) On August 2, 2000, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared a
Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-31174)
effective, registering 6,325,000 shares of our common stock. The aggregate net
proceeds after deduction of expenses were approximately $69,300. Through June
30, 2001, we have used approximately $8,158 of the net proceeds of the offering
as follows:

      Discovery and research programs                  $6,754
      General and Administrative expenses               1,173
      Purchase of equipment                                86
      Payment of debt                                     145
                                                -------------


      Total                                            $8,158
                                                =============


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
        ---------------------------------------------------

     On June 1, 2001, we held our annual meeting of stockholders. The results of
the proposals submitted for vote at this meeting were as follows:

     1.  Election of two Directors (there were no abstentions or broker non-
votes in connection with the election of directors) .

                                                For:             Withheld:

          Christy L. Schaffer, Ph.D.............18,257,315       72,795

          Gregory J. Mossinghoff................18,257,315       72,795

     2. Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001.

        For:               Against:           Abstain:

     18,250,495             77,954              1,661

Item 5. Other Information
        ------------------

        Risk Factors
        ------------

      An investment in the shares of our common stock involves a substantial
risk of loss. You should carefully read this entire report and should give
particular attention to the following risk factors. You should recognize that
other significant risks may arise in the future, which we cannot foresee at this
time. Also, the risks that we now foresee might affect us to a greater or
different degree than expected. There are a number of important factors that
could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by any
forward-looking statements in this document. These factors include, without
limitation, the risk factors listed below and other factors presented throughout
this document and any other documents filed by us with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Financial figures are represented in thousands except share
and per share amounts.

                                      10


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


IF OUR PRODUCTS FAIL IN CLINICAL STUDIES, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO OBTAIN FDA
APPROVAL AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SELL THOSE PRODUCTS.

      To achieve profitable operations, we must, alone or with others,
successfully identify, develop, introduce and market proprietary products. Even
if we identify potential products, we will have to conduct significant
additional development activities and preclinical and clinical tests, and obtain
regulatory approval before our products can be commercialized. Product
candidates that may appear to be promising at early stages of development may
not successfully reach the market for a number of reasons. We have not submitted
any products for marketing approval by the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) or any other regulatory body.

       Generally, all of our product candidates are in research or preclinical
development, with only five, INS365 Respiratory, INS365 Ophthalmic, INS316
Diagnostic, INS37217 Respiratory and INS37217 Ophthalmic currently in clinical
development. We have ended clinical trials on INS365 Respiratory. We are in the
process of redesigning the Phase II protocol and intend to initiate another
Phase II trial by the end of the year. The results of preclinical and initial
clinical testing of our products under development may not necessarily indicate
the results that will be obtained from later or more extensive testing.
Companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered
significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after obtaining promising
results in earlier trials. Our ongoing clinical studies might be delayed or
halted for various reasons, including:


       .  the drug is not effective, or physicians think that the drug is not
          effective;

       .  patients experience severe side effects during treatment;

       .  patients die during the clinical study because their disease is too
          advanced or because they experience medical problems that may or may
          not relate to the drug being studied;

       .  patients do not enroll in the studies at the rate we expect or
          discontinue enrollment;

       .  drug supplies are not sufficient to treat the patients in the studies;
          or

        . we decide to modify the drug during testing.


BECAUSE OUR PRODUCT CANDIDATES UTILIZE A NEW MECHANISM OF ACTION, OBTAINING
REGULATORY APPROVAL MAY BE DIFFICULT, EXPENSIVE AND PROLONGED, WHICH WOULD DELAY
ANY MARKETING OF OUR PRODUCTS.

     We cannot apply for regulatory approval to market a product candidate until
we successfully complete pivotal clinical trials for the product. To complete
successful clinical trials, the products must meet the criteria for clinical
approval, or endpoints, which we establish for the product in the clinical
study.

     Generally, we will establish these endpoints in consultation with the
regulatory authorities, following design guidelines on the efficacy, safety and
tolerability measures required for approval of products.

     Because our existing product candidates utilize a new approach to the
treatment of respiratory and eye diseases, we may have trouble establishing
endpoints that the regulatory authorities agree sufficiently evaluate the
effectiveness of each product candidate. For this and other reasons, we could
encounter delays and increased expenses in our clinical trials if the regulatory
authorities determine that the endpoints established for a clinical trial do not
predict a clinical benefit, and the authorities will not approve the product for
marketing without further clinical trials. The regulatory authorities could
change their view on clinical trial design and establishment of appropriate
standards for efficacy, safety and tolerability and require a change in study
design, additional data or even further clinical trials before approval of a
product candidate.

     After initial regulatory approval, regulatory authorities continue to
review a marketed product and its manufacturer. They may require us to conduct
long-term safety studies after approval. Discovery of previously

                                      11


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


unknown problems through adverse event reporting may result in restrictions on
the product, including withdrawal from the market. Additionally, we and our
officers and directors could be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

IF PHYSICIANS AND PATIENTS DO NOT ACCEPT OUR PRODUCT CANDIDATES, THEY MAY NOT BE
COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL.

     Even if regulatory authorities approve our product candidates, those
products may not be commercially successful. Acceptance of and demand for our
products will depend largely on the following:

     .   acceptance by physicians and patients of our products as safe and
         effective therapies;

     .   reimbursement of drug and treatment costs by third-party payors;

     .   safety, effectiveness and pricing of alternative products; and

     .   prevalence and severity of side effects associated with our products.

     In addition, to achieve broad market acceptance of our product candidates,
in many cases we will need to develop, alone or with others, convenient methods
for administering product candidates. Physicians have administered our current
product candidates, INS365 Respiratory, INS316 Diagnostic and INS37217
Respiratory, for the treatment or diagnosis of respiratory disorders using a jet
nebulizer, a device that generates and delivers a fine mist derived from a
liquid, which is inhaled into the lungs, in their respective clinical studies.
Although the use of a jet nebulizer is an effective and well accepted means for
administering products for inhalation with respect to acute use and, to a lesser
degree, chronic use, we believe more convenient methods of delivery and
administration, such as a hand-held inhalation device, may be necessary in the
case of INS365 Respiratory and INS37217 Respiratory, to more fully address
chronic use. Our testing of prototype hand-held inhalation devices is at an
early stage and we may not be able to develop or find a convenient hand-held
device that works in patients with chronic bronchitis. Our current product
candidate for the treatment of dry eye disease, INS365 Ophthalmic, is applied
from a vial containing a single dose of medication. Patients may prefer to
purchase the medication in a bottle containing a sufficient quantity of
medication for multiple doses. We have not yet established a plan to develop a
multi-dose formulation. Similar challenges exist in identifying and perfecting
convenient methods of administration for many of our other product candidates.

WE INTEND TO RELY ON THIRD PARTIES TO DEVELOP, MARKET, DISTRIBUTE AND SELL OUR
PRODUCT CANDIDATES AND THOSE THIRD PARTIES MAY NOT PERFORM.

     We do not yet have the ability to independently market, distribute or sell
our products and intend to rely on experienced third parties to perform, or
assist us in the performance of, all of those functions. We may not identify
acceptable partners or enter into favorable agreements with them. If third
parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or meet expected
deadlines, we will be unable to obtain required governmental marketing approvals
and will be unable to sell our products.

OUR DEPENDENCE ON COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS MAY LEAD TO DELAYS IN PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT AND DISPUTES OVER RIGHTS TO TECHNOLOGY.

     Our business strategy depends upon the formation of research
collaborations, licensing and/or marketing arrangements. We currently have
development collaborations with five collaborators, Genentech, Allergan, Kissei,
Santen and Kirin. The termination of any collaboration may lead to delays in
product development and disputes over technology rights and may reduce our
ability to enter into collaborations with other potential partners. Kirin has
the right to terminate our license agreement by giving us 180 days prior notice.
Genentech has given us notice, as of June 15, 2001, that they will terminate the
agreement on November 12, 2001. If we do not maintain the Allergan, Kissei,
Santen or Kirin collaborations or establish additional research and development
collaborations or licensing arrangements it will be difficult to develop and
commercialize therapeutic or diagnostic products using our technology. Any
future collaborations or licensing arrangements may not be on terms favorable to
us. Our current or

                                      12


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)

any future collaborations or licensing arrangements ultimately may not be
successful. Under our current strategy, and for the foreseeable future, we do
not expect to develop or market therapeutic or diagnostic products on our own.
As a result, we will continue to depend on collaborators and contractors for the
preclinical study and clinical development of therapeutic products and for
regulatory approval, manufacturing and marketing of therapeutic and diagnostic
products which result from our technology. The agreements with collaborators
typically will allow them some discretion in electing whether to pursue such
activities. If any collaborator were to breach or terminate its agreement with
us or otherwise fail to conduct collaborative activities in a timely and
successful manner, the preclinical or clinical development or commercialization
of product candidates or research programs would be delayed or terminated. Any
delay or termination in clinical development or commercialization would delay or
eliminate potential product revenues relating to our research programs.

     We intend to rely on Allergan, Kissei, Santen, Kirin and any future
collaborators for significant funding in support of our development efforts. If
Allergan, Kissei, Santen or Kirin reduces or terminates its funding, we will
need to devote additional internal resources to product development, scale back
or terminate certain research and development programs or seek alternative
collaborators.

     Disputes may arise in the future over the ownership of rights to any
technology developed with collaborators. These and other possible disagreements
between us and our collaborators could lead to delays in the collaborative
development or commercialization of therapeutic or diagnostic products. Such
disagreement could also result in litigation or require arbitration to resolve.

IF WE ARE UNABLE TO CONTRACT WITH THIRD PARTIES FOR SYNTHESIS AND MANUFACTURING
OF PRODUCT CANDIDATES FOR PRECLINICAL TESTING AND CLINICAL TRIALS AND FOR LARGE
SCALE MANUFACTURING OF ANY OF OUR DRUG CANDIDATES, WE MAY BE UNABLE TO DEVELOP
OR COMMERCIALIZE PRODUCTS.

     We have no experience or capabilities in large scale commercial
manufacturing of any of our product candidates or any experience or capabilities
in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products generally. We do not generally
expect to engage directly in the manufacturing of products, but instead intend
to contract with others for these services. We have relied upon supply
agreements with third parties for the manufacture and supply or our product
candidates for purposes of preclinical testing and clinical trials. Although we
have previously received preclinical and clinical supplies of our product
candidates from several suppliers, we presently depend upon Yamasa Corporation
as the sole supplier of our supply of product candidates. If we are unable to
retain third party manufacturing on commercially acceptable terms, we may not be
able to commercialize products as planned. Our manufacturing strategy presents
the following risks:

       .  the manufacturing processes for most of our product candidates have
          not been tested in quantities needed for commercial sales;

       .  delays in scale-up to commercial quantities and any change to a
          manufacturer other than Yamasa Corporation could delay clinical
          studies, regulatory submissions and commercialization of our products;

       .  manufacturers of our products are subject to the FDA's good
          manufacturing practices regulations and similar foreign standards, and
          we do not have control over compliance with these regulations by
          third-party manufacturers;

       .  if we need to change to manufacturers other than Yamasa Corporation,
          FDA and comparable foreign regulators would require new testing and
          compliance inspections and the new manufacturers would have to be
          educated in the processes necessary for the production of our product
          candidates;

       .  without satisfactory long-term agreements with manufacturers, we will
          not be able to develop or commercialize our product candidates as
          planned or at all; and

       .  we may not have intellectual property rights, or may have to share
          intellectual property rights, to any improvements in the manufacturing
          processes or new manufacturing processes for our product candidates.

                                      13


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)



IF WE ARE UNABLE TO SUPPLY KISSEI AND SANTEN WITH SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF
MATERIALS WE MAY BREACH OUR AGREEMENTS WITH SUCH PARTIES.

     We are currently a party to a development, license and supply agreement
with each of Kissei and Santen, under which we granted each a license to develop
and market INS365 Respiratory and INS365 Ophthalmic, respectively. Generally,
the agreements with Kissei and Santen will require us to supply such partners
with either sufficient quantities of materials or finished products, as
applicable, for the purpose of commercial distribution. We will need to
establish, alone or with third parties, a manufacturing process in relation to
each product. Our dependence upon third parties for the manufacture of products
may adversely affect our ability to develop and deliver products on a timely and
competitive basis.

     Our inability to successfully manufacture commercial products could result
in our breach of the terms of our agreements with Kissei and Santen. Any of
these factors could delay our preclinical studies, clinical trials or
commercialization of our product candidates, entail higher costs and result in
our inability to effectively sell our product candidates.

IF OUR PATENT PROTECTION IS INADEQUATE, THE DEVELOPMENT AND ANY POSSIBLE SALES
OF OUR PRODUCT CANDIDATES COULD SUFFER OR COMPETITORS COULD FORCE OUR PRODUCTS
COMPLETELY OUT OF THE MARKET.

     Our business and competitive position depends on our ability to continue to
develop and protect our products and processes, proprietary methods and
technology. Except for one patent covering new chemical compounds, most of our
patents are use patents containing claims covering methods of treating disorders
and diseases by administering therapeutic chemical compounds. Use patents, while
providing adequate protection for commercial efforts in the United States, may
afford a lesser degree of protection in European and possibly other countries
due to their particular patent laws. Besides our use patents, we have patents
covering pharmaceutical formulations of these chemical compounds. We also have
patent applications covering processes for large-scale manufacturing of these
chemical compounds. Many of the chemical compounds included in the claims of our
use patents, formulation patents and process applications were known in the
scientific community prior to our formation. None of our patents cover these
previously known chemical compounds themselves, which are in the public domain.
As a result, competitors may be able to commercialize products that use the same
chemical compounds used by us for the treatment of disorders and diseases not
covered by our use patents. In such a case, physicians, pharmacies and
wholesalers could possibly substitute these products for our products. Such
substitution would reduce any revenues received from the sale of our products.

       We believe that there may be significant litigation in the pharmaceutical
and biotechnology industry regarding patent and other intellectual property
rights. A patent does not provide the patent holder with freedom to operate in a
way that infringes the patent rights of others. While we are not aware of any
patent that we are infringing, nor have we been accused of infringement by any
other party, other companies currently have or may acquire patent rights which
we might be accused of infringing. If we must defend a patent suit, or if we
choose to initiate a suit to have a third party patent declared invalid, we may
need to make considerable expenditures of money and management time in
litigation. A judgment against us in a patent infringement action could cause us
to pay monetary damages, require us to obtain licenses, or prevent us from
manufacturing or marketing the affected products. In addition, we may need to
initiate litigation to enforce our proprietary rights against others, or we may
have to participate in interference proceedings in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office (USTPO) to determine the priority of invention of any of our
technologies.

       In general, the development of patent rights in pharmaceutical,
biopharmaceutical and biotechnology products to a degree sufficient to support
commercial efforts in these areas is typically uncertain and involves complex
legal and factual questions. For instance, while the USPTO has recently issued
guidelines addressing the requirements for demonstrating utility for
biotechnology inventions, USPTO examiners may not follow these guidelines in
examining patent applications. Such applications may have to be appealed to the
USPTO's Appeals Board for a final


                                      14


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)

determination of patentability.

IF WE FAIL TO REACH MILESTONE OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH
CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL AND OTHER LICENSORS MAY TERMINATE OUR AGREEMENTS WITH
THEM.

     Our current technologies, discoveries and our original patents are based in
part on two exclusive licenses and one non-exclusive license from The University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Generally, if we fail to meet milestones
under the respective UNC licenses, UNC may terminate the applicable license. In
addition, it may be necessary in the future for us to obtain additional licenses
from UNC or other third parties to develop future commercial opportunities or to
avoid infringement of third party patents. We do not know the terms on which
such licenses may be available, if at all.

     Failure to license or otherwise acquire necessary technologies may reduce
or eliminate our ability to develop product candidates. Even if we acquire all
necessary licenses, if we breach any license provision, either intentionally or
unintentionally, we may lose our right to continued use of the licensed
technology.

BECAUSE WE RELY UPON TRADE SECRETS AND AGREEMENTS TO PROTECT SOME OF OUR
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, THERE IS A RISK THAT UNAUTHORIZED PARTIES MAY OBTAIN AND
USE INFORMATION THAT WE REGARD AS PROPRIETARY.

     We rely upon the laws of trade secrets and non-disclosure agreements and
other contractual arrangements to protect our proprietary compounds, methods,
processes, formulations and other information for which we are not seeking
patent protection. We have taken security measures to protect our proprietary
technologies, processes, information systems and data, and we continue to
explore ways to further enhance security. However, despite these efforts to
protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may obtain and use
information that we regard as proprietary. Employees, academic collaborators and
consultants with whom we have entered confidentiality and/or non-disclosure
agreements, may improperly disclose our proprietary information. In addition,
competitors may, through a variety of proper means, independently develop
substantially the equivalent of our proprietary information and technologies,
gain access to our trade secrets, or properly design around any of our patented
technologies.

BECAUSE ALL OF OUR PRODUCT CANDIDATES USE RELATED MECHANISMS OF ACTION, WE MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO COMMERCIALIZE OUR PRODUCTS IF THE MECHANISM OF ACTION IS NOT
EFFECTIVE.

     Any products resulting from our product development efforts are not
expected to be available for sale for a number of years, if at all. Five of our
product candidates, INS365 Respiratory, INS365 Ophthalmic, INS316 Diagnostic,
INS37217 Respiratory and INS37217 Ophthalmic, operate in a similar manner. If
the clinical results of one of the compounds is not favorable, the results of
the other compound may not be favorable. Moreover, we have designed all of our
product candidates to use related mechanisms of action. If these mechanisms of
action are not effective, we may not be able to commercialize any of our product
candidates. Even if all of our product candidates prove effective, we may choose
not to commercialize all of them.

IF WE CONTINUE TO INCUR OPERATING LOSSES FOR A PERIOD LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED,
OR IN AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN ANTICIPATED, WE MAY BE UNABLE TO CONTINUE OUR
OPERATIONS.

     We have experienced significant losses since inception. We incurred net
losses of $11,145 for the six months ended June 30, 2001, $14,584 for the year
ended December 31, 2000, and $8,996 for the year ended December 31, 1999. As of
June 30, 2000 our accumulated deficit was approximately $59,016. We expect to
incur significant additional operating losses over the next several years and
expect cumulative losses to increase substantially in the near-term due to
expanded research and development efforts, preclinical studies and clinical
trials. We expect that losses will fluctuate from quarter to quarter and that
such fluctuations may be substantial. Such fluctuations will be

                                      15


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


affected by the following:

     .  timing of regulatory approvals and commercial sales of our product
        candidates;

     .  the level of patient demand for our products;

     .  timing of payments to and from licensors and corporate partners; and

     .  timing of investments in new technologies.

     No regulatory authorities have approved any of our product candidates for
marketing, and therefore, we are not generating any revenues from product sales.
To achieve and sustain profitable operations, we must, alone or with others,
develop successfully, obtain regulatory approval for, manufacture, introduce,
market and sell our products.

     The time frame necessary to achieve market success is long and uncertain.
We do not expect to generate product revenues for at least the next few years.
We may not generate sufficient product revenues to become profitable or to
sustain profitability. If the time required to achieve profitability is longer
than we anticipate, we may not be able to continue our business.

IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN SUFFICIENT ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO MEET OUR EXPANDING
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS, WE MAY BE FORCED TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE RESEARCH PROGRAMS
AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.

     We have used substantial amounts of cash to fund our research and
development activities. In the six months ended June 30, 2001 our operating
expenses exceeded $16,000. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 our
operating expenses exceeded $20,000. We expect our capital and operating
expenditures to increase over the next several years as we expand our research
and development activities, address possible difficulties with clinical studies
and prepare for commercial sales. Many factors will influence our future capital
needs. These factors include:

     .   the progress of our research programs;

     .   the number and breadth of these programs;

     .   our ability to attract collaborators for our products;

     .   achievement of milestones under our existing collaborations with
         Allergan, Kissei, Santen and Kirin;

     .   our ability to establish and maintain additional collaborations;

     .   progress by our collaborators: Allergan, Kissei, Santen and Kirin;

     .   the level of activities relating to commercialization rights we retain
         in our collaborations;

     .   competing technological and market developments;

     .   the costs involved in enforcing patent claims and other intellectual
         property rights; and

     .   the costs and timing of regulatory approvals.

     We anticipate that our operating expenses will exceed $25,000 for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2001. We also expect to purchase capital
equipment at a cost of approximately $2,000 in the same period. Following
December 31, 2001, we expect our operating expenses to increase as we continue
to develop our product candidates. We intend to rely on Allergan, Kissei,
Santen, Kirin, and future collaborators and the proceeds of our initial public
offering for significant funding in support of our development efforts. In
addition, we may seek additional funding through public or private equity
offerings and debt financings. Additional financing may not be available when
needed. If available, such financing may not be on terms favorable to us or our
stockholders. Stockholders' ownership will be diluted if we raise additional
capital by issuing equity securities. If we raise funds through collaborations
and licensing arrangements, we may have to give up rights to our technologies or
product candidates which are involved


                                      16


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


in these future collaborations and arrangements or grant licenses on unfavorable
terms. If adequate funds are not available, we would have to scale back or
terminate research programs and product development.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE WITH BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANIES AND
ESTABLISHED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

     The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are intensely competitive
and subject to rapid and significant technological change. Our competitors in
the United States and elsewhere are numerous and include, among others, major
multinational pharmaceutical and chemical companies, specialized biotechnology
firms and universities and other research institutions. These competitors
include Abbott, Alcon, Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiron, Genentech,
GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Pfizer. Many of these competitors employ greater
financial and other resources, including larger research and development staffs
and more effective marketing and manufacturing organizations, than we or our
collaborative partners. Acquisitions of competing companies and potential
competitors by large pharmaceutical companies or others could enhance financial,
marketing and other resources available to such competitors. As a result of
academic and government institutions becoming increasingly aware of the
commercial value of their research findings, such institutions are more likely
to enter into exclusive licensing agreements with commercial enterprises,
including our competitors, to market commercial products. Our competitors may
develop technologies and drugs that are safer, more effective or less costly
than any we are developing or which would render our technology and future drugs
obsolete and non-competitive. The products of our competitors marketed to treat
chronic bronchitis include anti-inflammatory products, such as Azmacort(R) and
Beclovent(R), bronchodilators such as Atrovent(R) and Proventil(R), combination
products such as Advair(TM) and antibiotics such as Biaxin(R) and Zithromax(R).
Pulmozyme(R), a Genentech product, and TOBI(R) from Chiron are examples of
products used to treat cystic fibrosis. The main current treatments for dry eye
disease involve artificial tear replacement drops. In addition, alternative
approaches to treating diseases which we have targeted, such as gene therapy,
may make our product candidates obsolete. Our competitors may also be more
successful in production and marketing.

     In addition, some of our competitors have greater experience than we do in
conducting preclinical and clinical trials and obtaining FDA and other
regulatory approvals. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in obtaining FDA
or other regulatory approvals for drug candidates more rapidly than we do.
Companies that complete clinical trials, obtain required regulatory approvals
and commence commercial sale of their drugs before we do may achieve a
significant competitive advantage, including patent and FDA marketing
exclusivity rights that would delay our ability to market products. Drugs
resulting from our research and development efforts, or from our joint efforts
with our collaborative partners may not compete successfully with competitors'
existing products or products under development.

FAILURE TO HIRE AND RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL MAY HINDER OUR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS AND OUR BUSINESS EFFORTS.

     We depend on the principal members of management and scientific staff,
including Christy L. Shaffer, Ph.D., our President, Chief Executive Officer and
director; and Gregory J. Mossinghoff, our Senior Vice President, Chief Business
Officer and director. If either of these people leave us, we may have difficulty
conducting our operations. We have not entered into agreements with any of the
above principal members of our management and scientific staff that bind any of
them to a specific period of employment. Our future success also will depend in
part on our ability to attract, hire and retain additional personnel skilled or
experienced in the pharmaceutical industry. There is intense competition for
such qualified personnel. We may not be able to continue to attract and retain
such personnel.

OUR OPERATIONS INVOLVE A RISK OF INJURY FROM HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, WHICH COULD BE
VERY EXPENSIVE TO US.

       Our research and development activities involve the controlled use of
hazardous materials and chemicals. We cannot completely eliminate the risk of
accidental contamination or injury from these materials. If such an accident
were to occur, we could be held liable for any damages that result and any such
liability could exceed our resources. In addition, we are subject to laws and
regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these

                                      17


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


materials and waste products. The costs of compliance with these laws and
regulations could be substantial.

USE OF OUR PRODUCTS MAY RESULT IN PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS FOR WHICH WE MAY NOT
HAVE ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE.

     Clinical trials or manufacturing, marketing and sale of our potential
products by our collaborative partners may expose us to liability claims from
the use of those products. Although we carry clinical trial liability insurance,
we currently do not carry product liability insurance. We or our collaborators
may not be able to obtain or maintain sufficient or even any insurance. If we
can, it may not be at a reasonable cost. If we cannot or are unable otherwise to
protect against potential product liability claims, we may find it difficult or
impossible to commercialize pharmaceutical products we or our collaborators
develop. If claims or losses exceed our liability insurance coverage, we may go
out of business.

IF THIRD PARTY PAYORS WILL NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE OR REIMBURSE PATIENTS FOR ANY
PRODUCTS WE DEVELOP, OUR ABILITY TO DERIVE REVENUES WILL SUFFER.

     Our success will depend in part on the extent to which government and
health administration authorities, private health insurers and other third party
payors will pay for our products. Reimbursement for newly approved health care
products is uncertain. In the United States and elsewhere, third party payors,
such as Medicare, are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical
products and services. Government and other third party payors are increasingly
attempting to contain health care costs by limiting both coverage and the level
of reimbursement for new therapeutic products. In the United States, a number of
legislative and regulatory proposals aimed at changing the health care system
have been proposed in recent years. In addition, an increasing emphasis on
managed care in the United States has and will continue to increase pressure on
pharmaceutical pricing. While we cannot predict whether legislative or
regulatory proposals will be adopted or what effect those proposals or managed
care efforts, including those relating to Medicare payments, may have on our
business, the announcement and/or adoption of such proposals or efforts could
increase our costs and reduce or eliminate profit margins. Third party insurance
coverage may not be available to patients for any products we discover or
develop. If government and other third party payors do not provide adequate
coverage and reimbursement levels for our products, the market acceptance of
these products may be reduced. In various foreign markets, pricing or
profitability of medical products is subject to government control.

BECAUSE OUR MANAGEMENT HAS BROAD DISCRETION OVER THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS FROM
OUR INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING, THE PROCEEDS MAY BE USED IN WAYS STOCKHOLDERS DO
NOT DEEM TO BE ADVISABLE.

     Our management has broad discretion as to the allocation of the proceeds
for our initial public offering, including the timing and conditions of the use
of the proceeds. Our management may allocate the proceeds to uses that
stockholders do not deem advisable. If management spends the funds unwisely, we
may not have sufficient working capital to become profitable.

OUR EXISTING DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS HOLD A
SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND MAY BE ABLE TO PREVENT OTHER
STOCKHOLDERS FROM INFLUENCING SIGNIFICANT CORPORATE DECISIONS.

     Our directors, executive officers and current 5% stockholders and their
affiliates beneficially own approximately 43% of the common stock as of June 30,
2001. These stockholders, if they act together, may be able to direct the
outcome of matters requiring approval of the stockholders, including the
election of our directors and other corporate actions such as our merger with or
into another company, a sale of substantially all of our assets and amendments
to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. The decisions of these
stockholders may conflict with our interests or those of our other stockholders.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF

                                      18


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS, AND OUR RIGHT TO ISSUE PREFERRED STOCK, MAY DISCOURAGE
A THIRD PARTY FROM MAKING A TAKE-OVER OFFER THAT COULD BE BENEFICIAL TO US AND
OUR STOCKHOLDERS.

     Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain
provisions which could delay or prevent a third party from acquiring shares of
our common stock or replacing members of our board of directors.

     Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation allows our board of
directors to issue shares of preferred stock. The Board can determine the price,
rights, preferences and privileges of those shares without any further vote or
action by the stockholders. As a result, our board of directors could make it
difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting
stock .

     Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the
members of the board will be divided into three classes. Each year the terms of
approximately one-third of the directors will expire. Our bylaws will not permit
our stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders. Under the bylaws,
only our President, Chairman of the Board or a majority of the board of
directors will be able to call special meetings. The bylaws also require that
stockholders give advance notice to our Secretary of any nominations for
director or other business to be brought by stockholders at any stockholders'
meeting. These provisions may delay or prevent changes of control or management.

     Further, we are subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under this law, if anyone becomes an
"interested stockholder" in the company, we may not enter a "business
combination" with that person for three years without special approval.

     These provisions could discourage a third party from making a take-over
offer and could delay or prevent a change of control.

OUR COMMON STOCK PRICE IS LIKELY TO BE HIGHLY VOLATILE AND YOUR INVESTMENT IN
OUR STOCK MAY DECLINE IN VALUE.

     The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile.
Factors that could cause volatility and could result in declines in the market
price of our common stock include among others:

     .   announcements made by us concerning results of our clinical trials with
         INS365 Respiratory, INS365 Ophthalmic, INS316 Diagnostic, INS37217
         Respiratory, INS37217 Ophthalmic and any other product candidates;

     .   changes in government regulations;

     .   regulatory actions as a result of their therapeutic approach;

     .   changes in concerns of our collaborators, in particular our
         collaborations with Allergan, Kissei, Santen and Kirin;

     .   developments concerning proprietary rights including patents by us or
         our competitors;

     .   variations in our operating results; and

     .   litigation.

     Extreme price and volume fluctuations occur in the stock market from time
to time and that can particularly affect the prices of biotechnology companies.
These extreme fluctuations are often unrelated to the actual performance of the
affected companies. These broad market fluctuations could result in significant
declines in the market price of our common stock.

FUTURE SALES BY OUR CURRENT STOCKHOLDERS MAY CAUSE OUR STOCK PRICE TO DECLINE.


                                      19


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)



     Sales of our common stock by our current stockholders in the public market
could cause the market price of our stock to fall. Sales may also make it more
difficult for us to sell equity securities or equity-related securities in the
future at a time and price that our management deems acceptable, or at all. As
of June 30, 2001, there were 25,729,526 shares of common stock outstanding. Of
these outstanding shares of common stock, all of the 6,325,000 shares sold in
our initial public offering are freely tradable, without restriction under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless purchased by our "affiliates." The
remaining shares of common stock may be resold in the public market only if
registered or if there is an exemption from registration, such as Rule 144 under
the Securities Act.

     Certain holders of common stock and options and warrants to purchase shares
of common stock are entitled to registration rights. Upon registration, these
shares may be freely sold in the public market.

     On February 28, 2001, we filed a registration statement on Form S-8, which
registered shares of common stock under our Amended and Restated 1995 Stock
Plan, as amended. The registration statement registered 3,004,220 shares of our
common stock that were issued or sold or may be issued and sold under such plan.

     We may issue additional shares:

     .   to employees, directors and consultants;

     .   in connection with corporate alliances;

     .   in connection with acquisitions; and

     .   to raise capital.

     As a result of these factors, a substantial number of shares of our common
stock could be sold in the public market at any time.


                                      20


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
        --------------------------------

a)  Exhibits:

  Exhibit
    No.           Description of Exhibit
- -----------       ----------------------

   3.1            Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
                  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
                  Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-
                  31174) which became effective on August 2, 2000)

   3.2            Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-
                  1 (Registration No. 333-31174) which became effective on
                  August 2, 2000)

   10.1           Sublease between Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Circuit
                  City Stores, Inc., dated as of May 7, 2001

   10.2           Employee Confidentiality, Invention Assignment and Non-Compete
                  Agreement between Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Joseph
                  Schachle dated April 3, 2001

   10.3*          License, Development and Marketing Agreement between Inspire
                  Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Allergan, Inc., dated as of June 22,
                  2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
                  Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2001)

   99.1           Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Allergan, Inc. press release
                  dated June 27, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1
                  to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 29,
                  2001)
- ------------------
   *              A request for confidential treatment has been submitted with
                  respect to this exhibit. The copy filed as an exhibit omits
                  the information subject to the request for confidential
                  treatment.

   b)Reports on Form 8-K

   On April 24, 2001, Inspire filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April
24, 2001, announcing an update on the Phase II trial of INS365 Respiratory for
Chronic Bronchitis.

   On May 3, 2001, Inspire filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 3,
2001, regarding the presentation of positive Phase II data for INS365 Ophthalmic
for Dry Eye and the launch of the first Phase I/II clinical trial for INS37217
Ophthalmic for Retinal Detachment.

   On June 20, 2001, Inspire filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 20,
2001, announcing Genentech's return to Inspire of rights to respiratory programs
in chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis and sinusitis.

   On June 29, 2001, Inspire filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 22,
2001, announcing a License, Development and Marketing Agreement between Inspire
and Allergan, Inc.


                                      21


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)



                                  SIGNATURES

Pursuant to requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

                                       Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



Date: August 8, 2001                   By: /s/ Christy L. Shaffer
                                           ----------------------
                                           Christy L. Shaffer
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


Date: August 8, 2001                   By: /s/ Gregory J. Mossinghoff
                                           --------------------------
                                           Gregory J. Mossinghoff
                                           Senior Vice President, Chief Business
                                           Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
                                           (principal financial officer)





                                      22


                            Inspire Pharmaceuticals
                         (a development stage company)



                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

  Exhibit
    No.       Description of Exhibit
- ---------     ----------------------

3.1           Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement
              on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-31174) which became effective on
              August 2, 2000)

3.2           Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
              (Registration No. 333-31174) which became effective on August 2,
              2000)

10.1          Sublease between Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Circuit City
              Stores, Inc., dated as of May 7, 2001

10.2          Employee Confidentiality, Invention Assignment and Non-Compete
              Agreement between Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Joseph
              Schachle dated April 3, 2001

10.3*         License, Development and Marketing Agreement between Inspire
              Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Allergan, Inc., dated as of June 22,
              2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
              Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2001)

99.1          Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Allergan, Inc. press release
              dated June 27, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to
              the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2001)
- --------------
*       A request for confidential treatment has been submitted with respect to
this exhibit. The copy filed as an exhibit omits the information subject to the
request for confidential treatment.

                                      23