EXHIBIT NO. 99
Contacts:
Trimeris, Inc. Noonan/Russo Communications, Inc.
Timothy Creech Mary Claire Bice
919-419-6050 212-696-4455, ext. 238
TRIMERIS APPOINTS DR. M. NIXON ELLIS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
BUSINESS OFFICER
DURHAM, NC, APRIL 3, 2000 -- Trimeris, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRMS) announced today the
appointment of Dr. M. Nixon Ellis, former President and Chief Operating Officer
of Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to the position of Executive Vice President
and Chief Business Officer. Robert Bonczek, Trimeris' Acting Chief Financial
Officer and Acting Chief Administrative Officer will assume the post of
full-time CFO of the company.
"Trimeris has reached an exciting point in our development," commented Dr. Dani
Bolognesi, Chief Executive Officer of Trimeris. "As our two lead product
candidates continue to progress through clinical trials, we continue to nurture
promising new drug candidates to enrich our pipeline. Dr. Ellis's principal
focus will be in shaping the strategies and leading our endeavor to broaden our
business."
Dr. Ellis, age 50, served as President and COO of Triangle Pharmaceuticals from
1995 until last month. In addition to having over 20 years of experience in the
field of virology, Dr. Ellis has an extensive background in the field of
business development. During his tenure at Triangle, he was responsible for
growing the organization significantly and overseeing the development of a
portfolio of five drug candidates.
Previously, Dr. Ellis spent 12 years with Burroughs Wellcome in several
positions within the Division of Virology. From 1991-1993 he was Assistant
Director, Division of Virology. Additionally, he has held positions with The
Wellcome Foundation Ltd. , including Group Business Development Manager and most
recently, Global Brand Director, HIV/Retrovir. Dr. Ellis holds a Ph.D. degree in
microbiology from the University of Georgia and an M.B.A. degree from the
University of North Carolina.
"We are extremely pleased to welcome Dr. Ellis to Trimeris. Nick's exceptional
background in virology, strategic planning, and business development will
significantly strengthen our management team," said Dr. Bolognesi. "We are also
delighted that Mr. Bonczek, who has made a number of significant contributions
to Trimeris' development over the past several years, will be assuming a
full-time role with the Company. The addition of Dr. Ellis combined with the
expanded role of Mr. Bonczek has provided Trimeris with a premier management
team. Our team's breadth of experience provides us with the capabilities needed
to exploit our technology platform and further the Company's development."
-more-
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. The Company's lead product
candidate, T-20, which inhibits fusion of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
with host cells, is currently in Phase II clinical trials and has received fast
track designation from the FDA. The Company's second product candidate, T-1249,
which also inhibits HIV fusion, has received fast track designation from the FDA
and is in a Phase I clinical trial.
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 the company's 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 the Company's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 29, 2000.
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