MicroDose Therapeutx Acquires ViroPharma Portfolio of Investigational Compounds for Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Acquisition expands MicroDose`s portfolio of proprietary products.
MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
MicroDose Therapeutx Inc. (formerly MicroDose Technologies) today announced that
it has acquired a portfolio of compounds for the potential treatment of
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from ViroPharma Incorporated (Exton, PA). The
lead investigational compound in the portfolio is an inhalable small molecule
fusion inhibitor, now called MDT-637. This highly potent compound has
demonstrated antiviral activity in preclinical studies in both prophylaxis and
treatment, and was generally well tolerated in multiple adult volunteer Phase I
studies. MicroDose plans to develop the newly acquired compound in dry powder
format for inhalation via MicroDose`s novel dry powder inhaler (DPI).

RSV is a highly contagious virus that is a major health threat to several
high-risk populations and, with no effective treatments presently available,
represents a major unmet medical need. RSV infects over 90% of children
worldwide during the first two years of life and causes considerable morbidity
and mortality in premature infants, the immuno-compromised, the elderly, and
individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Commenting on the acquisition, Anand Gumaste, President & CEO of MicroDose said,
"Earlier this year we announced that we would be expanding our mission by
developing proprietary products that address large market opportunities and are
enabled by our game-changing drug delivery technologies. The acquisition of
ViroPharma`s portfolio is a perfect fit with this strategy, as it leverages our
next generation inhaler platform as well as our experience in respiratory
product development to address a large unmet need in RSV disease."

"The unique capabilities of the MicroDose inhaler are ideal for the delivery of
MDT-637 as it can realize the molecule`s broadest potential across the range of
populations from pediatric to the elderly, groups not well served by today`s
DPIs. The potential for both treatment and prevention across this spectrum of
patients, combined with non-invasive inhaled delivery to the site of infection,
could greatly expand this market," explains Scott Fleming, MicroDose`s Sr. Vice
President, Sales & Marketing.

About RSV disease

RSV is a pathogen that attacks the human respiratory tract. There are currently
no treatment options approved in the U.S. for this virus among the infant,
pediatric, and adult populations that are susceptible to it. The February 2009
edition of the New England Journal of Medicine stated that "RSV is associated
with substantial morbidity in US children in both the inpatient and outpatient
settings and..... its control is a worldwide priority." Globally, the annual
death rate from RSV is estimated at 160,000 and the clinical burden of RSV
infection is comparable to that of influenza. The market opportunity for
treatments addressing RSV is significant and growing. MedImmune`s monoclonal
antibody, Synagis®, an intramuscular injection approved only for prophylactic
use against RSV in premature infants, has annual worldwide sales in excess of $1
billion.

About MDT-637

MDT-637 is a clinical stage product that has been shown to effectively block RSV
infection both in vitro and in the cotton rat, which is the accepted animal
model for RSV infection. MDT-637 acts by targeting the viral fusion protein,
which is the only validated target for RSV treatments. The compound is inhaled,
which allows for rapid delivery to the site of virus infection, the lungs, and
has been shown to be safe and well tolerated in multiple human safety trials.
Results from animal studies indicate that MDT-637 could find use as both a
preventative and a treatment of RSV infection. MDT-637 will be formulated for
pulmonary delivery via MicroDose`s proprietary dry powder inhaler.

About MicroDose Therapeutx

MicroDose Therapeutx is a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company
dedicated to improving the quality of life for people suffering from serious
diseases. The company focuses on developing proprietary products that address
large unmet market opportunities, and on drug delivery platforms for the
pulmonary, oral, and transdermal delivery of medications. The company develops
its products and technologies independently, as well as in partnership with
leading pharmaceutical companies. MicroDose`s products and platforms currently
target respiratory disease states such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as diabetes,
hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. More can be found at our website;
www.mdtx.com.

MicroDose Therapeutx Inc.
Scott Fleming, 732-355-2114
Senior V.P., Sales & Marketing
sfleming@mdtx.com
or
Ex Machina D x M
Judith Fleischer, 908-469-0554
jfleischer@exmachinadxm.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009