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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 23 May 2003 \line \line {\b Fuzeon approved 
for marketing and reimbursement in Switzerland} \line Fuzeon leads first novel class of 
anti-HIV drugs to become available since 1996\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Roche announced today that Fuzeon 
(enfuvirtide), the first in a novel class of drugs against HIV-1 infection, has been granted marketing 
authorisation by Swissmedic and has received reimbursement approval from the Federal Insurance Office.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Fuzeon 
is indicated for use in combination with other antiretroviral (anti-HIV) medicinal products for the 
treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of viral replication despite 
ongoing therapy. Switzerland is the first country in Europe to issue a marketing authorisation for Fuzeon. 
The drug will be available from the beginning of June 2003.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Fuzeon is the first 
fusion inhibitor, representing the first new class of anti-HIV treatments in seven years. Unlike all 
other anti-HIV medications currently on the market, Fuzeon prevents the virus from entering human immune 
cells. This blocks the replication of the HIV, which is capable of destroying the immune systems of 
people infected with the virus. \par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Commenting on Swiss approval of the product, 
Beat Lieberherr, General Manager of Roche Pharma (Switzerland) Ltd, said: \u8216?Today is a very important 
day for everybody who is affected directly or indirectly by HIV. For these people Fuzeon offers a new 
option in the fight against this insidious infection at a time when development of viral resistance 
is forcing more and more patients with HIV infection to look for therapeutic alternatives. We at Roche 
are very pleased that with Fuzeon we can give the medical profession another new and very effective 
weapon in the fight against AIDS.\u8217? \par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 According to Professor Manuel Battegay 
from Basel University Hospital, \u8216?With its novel mechanism of action, Fuzeon stops HIV from entering 
healthy cells and thus protects them against infection. Since it combats viral replication differently 
to other drugs on the market, it is also active against strains of HIV that are resistant to currently 
available medications.\line The safety and efficacy of this new drug have been documented 
in major comparative studies involving treatment-experienced patients with advanced HIV infection. In 
clinical terms, Fuzeon represents an important step forward in HIV treatment since it opens up new avenues 
for HIV-infected people with limited therapeutic options.\u8217?\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b Findings 
from pivotal studies} \line The regulatory submission for Fuzeon was based on data from 
two 24-week phase III pivotal studies involving approximately 1,000 patients. These data were corroborated 
by the results after 48 weeks of treatment. The TORO 1 study (\u8216?TORO\u8217? stands for \u8216?T-20/Fuzeon vs. Optimised 
Regimen Only\u8217?) was conducted in North America and Brazil, while TORO 2 was conducted in Europe and Australia. 
\line These studies showed that treatment-experienced patients receiving Fuzeon as part of 
an optimised background regimen (individualised combination of anti-HIV drugs) experienced greater immunological 
improvement; they were also twice as likely to achieve undetectable plasma levels of HIV (400 copies 
of HIV-1 RNA per ml) than patients receiving an individualised regimen alone. The likelihood of achieving 
undetectable HIV levels was even greater in patients with two or more active anti-HIV drugs in their 
background regimen. \line In view of the implications of these findings for public health, 
the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has posted the clinical results of the TORO 1 study with 
Fuzeon on its website even before the data are published in one of the forthcoming 
issues of the Journal.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b Supply and distribution of Fuzeon} \line Since 
the process used to manufacture Fuzeon is complex and initial demand is likely to be high, the global 
availability of the drug will be limited during the introductory phase. A managed distribution programme 
will therefore be adopted in Switzerland to ensure the uninterrupted supply of Fuzeon to patients who 
have begun therapy. The consumer price for Fuzeon in Switzerland will be 2712.60 Swiss Franks for one 
month treatment per patient. \par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b More about Fuzeon} \line Fuzeon 
is administered as a twice-daily subcutaneous injection. Local reactions at the site of injection were 
the most frequent adverse reaction associated with the use of Fuzeon. In phase III clinical studies, 
98% of patients had at least one local injection site reaction. The addition of Fuzeon to background 
antiretroviral therapy generally did not increase the frequency or severity of the majority of adverse 
reactions.\line As with all anti-HIV drugs, HIV specialists decide, in consultation with patients, 
when combination treatment with Fuzeon is appropriate.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Fuzeon and a further 
fusion inhibitor, T-1249, are being jointly developed by Roche and the US company Trimeris.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 The 
viral load measurements in the clinical trials for Fuzeon were performed using the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR 
assay, version 1.5. This test from Roche Diagnostics is considered to be a highly sensitive measurement 
of the amount of HIV circulating in a patient\u8217?s blood (\u8220?viral load\u8221?). With a limited number of treatment 
regimens available, the accurate monitoring of viral load levels is essential to establish and monitor 
the effectiveness of therapeutic regimens and assess the potential onset of drug resistance.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b Roche's 
commitment in HIV} \line Roche is at the forefront of efforts to combat HIV infection 
and AIDS and has been committed for the past 15 years to pioneering the discovery and development of 
innovative medicines and diagnostic tools for this therapeutic area. Roche\u8217?s objective is to provide 
tailored treatment solutions and an improved standard of care worldwide for people living with HIV infection.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Roche 
is a committed partner of the Accelerating Access Initiative to improve access to HIV care in sub-Saharan 
Africa and the world's least developed countries. Visit the website (http://www.roche-hiv.com) for more information 
on Roche\u8217?s policy with regard to the supply and pricing of protease inhibitors in these regions, and 
for details of the company\u8217?s HIV research. \par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b About Roche} \line Headquartered 
in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world\u8217?s leading innovation-driven healthcare groups. Its 
core businesses are pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is number one in the global diagnostics market, 
the leading supplier of pharmaceuticals for cancer and a leader in virology and transplantation. As 
a supplier of products and services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group 
contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people\u8217?s health and quality of life. Roche employs 
roughly 62,000 people in 150 countries. The Group has alliances and research and development agreements 
with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b About 
Trimeris} \line Trimeris, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRMS) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in 
the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of viral 
disease. The core technology platform of fusion inhibition is based on blocking viral entry into host 
cells. Fuzeon, just approved by the FDA, is the first in a new class of anti-HIV drugs called fusion 
inhibitors. A Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) has also been submitted for Fuzeon in the European 
Union. Trimeris\u8217? second fusion inhibitor product candidate, T-1249, has received fast track status from 
the FDA and is in Phase I/II clinical testing. Trimeris is developing Fuzeon and T-1249 in collaboration 
with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. For more information about Trimeris, please visit the company\u8217?s website (http://www.trimeris.com/).\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 All 
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are legally protected.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b Trimeris 
Safe Harbor Statement} \line This document and any attachments may contain forward-looking 
information about the Company\u8217?s financial results and business prospects that involve substantial risks 
and uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that they use words such as \u8220?expect,\u8221? 
\u8220?project,\u8221? \u8220?intend,\u8221? \u8220?plan,\u8221? \u8220?believe\u8221? and other words and terms of similar meaning. Among the factors 
that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: there is uncertainty regarding 
the success of research and development activities, regulatory authorizations and product commercializations; 
the results of our previous clinical trials are not necessarily indicative of future clinical trials; 
and, our drug candidates are based upon novel technology, are difficult and expensive to manufacture 
and may cause unexpected side effects. For a detailed description of these factors, see Trimeris\u8217? Form 
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2003 and its periodic reports filed 
with the SEC.\par}
{\pard \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 {\b F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd}\line 4070 Basel\line Switzerland \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Corporate Communications\line Roche Group Media Relations \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Tel. +41 61 688 88 88\line Fax +41 61 688 27 75\line www.roche.com \par}
}