Chimerix Updates the World Health Organization and the Global Health Security Initiative on Development of CMX001 as a Broad-Spectrum Therapeutic for Smallpox

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Chimerix, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company advancing orally-available antiviral therapeutics to address life-threatening diseases, presented updates on the development of the company's lead antiviral compound, CMX001, to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI). CMX001 is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent being developed for the treatment of smallpox, as well as other serious viral infections.

Randall Lanier, Ph.D., Director of Virology for Chimerix, spoke at the WHO 11th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. George Painter, Ph.D., Chimerix's Chief Executive Officer, spoke to the GHSI's Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Workshop on Thursday, November 5, 2009. Dr. Painter's and Dr. Lanier's presentations included updates on the development of CMX001 for both biodefense and commercial uses as a broad-spectrum antiviral against double-stranded DNA viruses, including variola, as well as recent uses of the product under Emergency Investigational New Drug (E-IND) protocols against adenovirus and progressive vaccinia in immune-compromised patients.

Dr. Painter said, with regard to both the WHO and GHSI presentations, "We are quite pleased with the progress of CMX001 and look forward to working with both the U.S. and international public health and transplant communities to continue to move the product toward regulatory approval."

CMX001 combines Chimerix's PIM (phospholipid intramembrane microfluidization) Conjugate Technology with cidofovir, an approved antiviral agent, with the aim of creating a well-tolerated and highly potent new chemical entity with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. CMX001 is initially being developed for both commercial and medical preparedness uses. Chimerix is currently conducting clinical trials of CMX001 for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and BK virus in immunocompromised transplant patients. The company has also received a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support the development of CMX001 as a treatment in the event of a smallpox outbreak.

About the GHSI Meeting
This year's GHSI workshop was hosted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in Washington, DC. The GHSI consists of the Group of Seven nations, along with Mexico, and is charged with facilitating international cooperation for the development and procurement of medical countermeasures for both biodefense and global health. More information about the meeting may be found at http://www.blsmeetings.net/2009GHSImeetingsMCM/index.html

About Chimerix
Chimerix, Inc., is developing antiviral therapeutics to treat life-threatening diseases. Led by a world-class antiviral drug development team, Chimerix is advancing programs to address cytomegalovirus (CMV), BK virus, smallpox, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza. The company's lead compound, CMX001, is currently in Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies for the treatment of BK virus and CMV, potentially deadly infections among immunocompromised patients. CMX001 is also being evaluated for use as a treatment in the event of a smallpox outbreak. Chimerix has received financing from leading venture capital firms, including Canaan Partners, Alta Partners, Sanderling Ventures, Frazier Healthcare Ventures and Asset Management Company, in addition to U.S. Government grants. Additional information about Chimerix and its antiviral drug development programs may be found online at http://www.chimerix-inc.com.