BIOCHEM PHARMA ISSUED US PATENT COVERING LAMIVUDINE USE IN COMBINATION THERAPY

01-Feb-2001
BioChem Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: BCHE; TSE: BCH) announced today that it was issued a U.S. patent on lamivudine in combination with other antiviral agents, expiring in 2018. U.S. Patent No. 6,180,639 covers pharmaceutical compositions comprising lamivudine in combination with other antiviral agents, as well as methods of treatment for HIV infection using lamivudine and other antiviral agents. Marketed as Epivir and 3TC, lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor which was discovered by BioChem Pharma and approved by the U.S. FDA in 1995. It has become the most widely used antiretroviral agent for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS. "This is an important patent which covers some of 3TC’s main strengths, it’s safety and potency when used in combination with other agents." said Dr. Gervais Dionne, Chief Scientific Officer at BioChem Pharma. "Potent antiviral activity, unique safety profile, and ease of use make 3TC an integral part of the multi-drug combination regimens taken by most patients with HIV infection." BioChem Pharma is an innovative and fast-growing biopharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases and cancer. On December 11, 2000, BioChem entered into an agreement to merge with Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc, to form a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company. More details on this proposed merger and other aspects of the company are available on the BioChem website at www.biochempharma.com Under agreement, BioChem Pharma receives royalties from GlaxoSmithKline on sales of its discovery lamivudine for use in treatment of both HIV/AIDS (3TC/Epivir/Combivir/Trizivir) and HBV (Zeffix/Zefix/Epivir-HBV/Heptovir/Heptodin). GlaxoSmithKline has the right to develop, manufacture and sell lamivudine worldwide, except in Canada, where BioChem Pharma and GlaxoSmithKline have formed a commercialization partnership.

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