Hemispherx Biopharma Enters Agreement with Schering Plough

PHILADELPHIA (PROTEXT) - Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (Amex: HEB) today announced that it has entered into a multi-year drug- production agreement with Schering-Plough Products L.L.C., regarding Hemispherx's antiviral product, Ampligen(R). The Ampligen(R) product is currently being clinically developed by Hemispherx in both the North American and European markets for potential treatment of various chronic viral diseases. The new drug production program will be conducted at Schering's major facilities in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and replaces small, regionally based facilities that Hemispherx used until recently. Under terms of the Agreement, Hemispherx will use the Schering facility as its principal manufacturing platform for the U.S.; the Agreement may also be expanded to include other territories. Schering is a world leader with various parenteral (injectable) medications including its flagship antiviral product, interferon alpha (Intron A). William A. Carter, M.D., Chairman and CEO of Hemispherx, said, "This agreement represents a rare example of an exciting synergy that blends our well-recognized research and development capabilities, under the supervision of Dr. Carol Smith, with Schering's world-class experience. Schering's expertise and professional capabilities are widely recognized by world regulatory authorities including the EMEA (European Medical Evaluation Agency) and the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Indeed, that expertise led to marketing approval for more than 20 different diseases for a single drug product, Intron A". Hemispherx said that the new Agreement also offered previously unprecedented "economies of scale" and "superior technology" in the overall drug-manufacturing process. Dr. Carter noted that production of final dosage forms of Ampligen(R) at the Schering facilities would be essential to launching a successful overall clinical enterprise by providing accelerated manufacturing of the highest quality product for its consumers, especially those ill with chronic, debilitating and/or life threatening diseases. Hemispherx already makes available "ready-to-use" Ampligen(R) drug dosage units to certain patients in North America and Europe (through its subsidiary, Hemispherx Europe) under its global "expanded access" programs, while simultaneously conducting Phase III clinical research to obtain full-marketing approval. The Company said the Schering Agreement was a major new step to facilitate successful clinical ventures in other major life threatening viral diseases, which could eventually expand to require several metric tons of drug product annually. Dr. Carter added, "When combined with the efficient distribution and marketing channels being actively developed through strategic alliances, our Company's antiviral drug technology is now elegantly leveraged for strong growth and potential profitability. This integrated 'systems management' approach, we believe, may epitomize the successful 21st Century pharmaceutical development/product launch model. Combining efficiency, experience, R and D innovation and creative marketing strategies, we can meet the anticipated needs of all the constituencies we serve -- namely, physicians, patients and health-care insurers." Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in new therapeutic approaches to HIV/AIDS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and hepatitis B/C utilizing the immune system. It has offices in Philadelphia, Belgium and France and new drug development facilities in the Washington, D.C., area. Hemispherx was recently listed on the "Russell 2000" Index of small capitalization stocks. Information contained in this news release other than historical information, should be considered forward-looking and is subject to various risk factors and uncertainties. For instance, the strategies and operations of Hemispherx involve risks of competition, changing market conditions, changes in laws and regulations affecting these industries and numerous other factors discussed in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. ots Original Text Service: Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: William A. Carter, M.D., CEO & Chairman of Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc., 215- 988-0080; or William Jenks of Broadgate Consultants, 212-232- 2222, or fax, 212-232-3232, for Hemispherx Biopharma; or Investor Relations, Harris Freedman, 212-572-0762, or fax, 212-572-0764 Web site: http://www.broadgate.com Web Site: http://www.hemispherx.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial service providing distribution of press releases from clients, who are identified in the text of Protext reports and who bear full responsibility for their contents. PROTEXT