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To: 2MAR$ who wrote (115508)	10/23/2000 11:19:51 AM
From: 2MAR$	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 120523

Vertex/Pdts-2: 2 Or More Drugs In Phase I Studies By '01 CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Dow Jones)--Vertex Pharamceuticals Inc. (VRTX) unveiled four new drug candidates to treat viral infections, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disorders and inflammation. In a press release Monday, the company said two or more of the drug candidates are expected to enter Phase I clinical studies in 2001. Vertex's VX-944 candidate is the latest inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, or IMPDH, inhibitor aimed at treating viral infections and autoimmune disease and preventing organ transplant rejection. An earlier IMPDH inhibitor, VX-148 is in clinical development to start early 2001, and VX-497 is in phase II clinical development in combination with interferon alpha to treat hepatitis C virus. The company's VX-954 and VX-702 candidates are the newest p38 map kinase inhibitors, which slow progression of acute and chronic inflammatory reactions. As part of a collaboration with Vertex, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co. (J.KIP) holds an option to develop VX-954 and VX-702 in Japan and other Far East countries. VX-745 is in phase II clinical development in collaboration with Kissei to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Vertex's VX-765 is the latest ICE inhibitor, which reduces damaging inflammatory processes and treats inflammatory, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The company's VX-740 is in phase II clinical development in collaboration with Aventis Co. SA (AVE) to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Vertex retains development and commercial rights to VX-765. Shares of Vertex recently traded at $87.25, up $7.50, or 9.4%, on Nasdaq volume of 377,300 shares. Average volume is 1.2 million shares. Vertex, which had 1999 revenue of $61.6 million, develops and markets small molecule drugs. Company Web site vpharm.com -Karen M. Chow; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5400 (END) DOW JONES NEWS 10-23-00 11:18 AM * end of story *