FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

International Consortium on Anti-Virals Sees 100% Increase in New Anti-Viral Development Opportunities

May 3-6 Symposium at Trent University and Toronto Designed to Accelerate the Introduction of New Anti-Virals

Thursday, May 1, 2008, Peterborough

In only one year since the federal government invested $2 million in
the International Consortium on Anti-Virals (ICAV) based at Trent
University, new anti-viral opportunities under review have increased
100% in the fight against viral diseases such as avian flu.

"The pace is definitely picking up in our effort to bring promising
anti-virals to market as quickly as possible," said Dr. Jeremy Carver,
CEO and co-founder of ICAV. "Our early success rate reinforces that
our model is working to accelerate the development of new anti-virals,
an essential component in pandemic preparedness, especially as the avian flu virus continues to evolve as well."

Dr. Carver explained that since March 2007, of the ten candidate
opportunities evaluated by ICAV, four of these have been selected for
pre-clinical development, and another ten promising anti-virals
opportunities have been identified for review. ICAV's broad
international network of scientists, public health experts, government
officials and industry representatives enable it to identify new
anti-viral opportunities as they are developed, verify their
effectiveness and bring the best candidates quickly from the lab to
public markets.

"The federal government's investment in ICAV has helped make
Canadians safer as they develop more effective, low-cost anti-virals,"
stated MP Del Mastro. "Developing new drug therapies represent a
critical part of our early response to an influenza pandemic."

ICAV will be hosting its sixth international symposium at Trent
University and in Toronto from May 3-6, 2008 where delegates from around the world will gather to discuss the current status of the avian
influenza virus, the latest research on anti-virals, and new
commercialization opportunities.

Another $2 million in funding recently announced by the province of
Ontario's Ministry of Research and Innovation will now enable ICAV to
expand into the evaluation and pre-clinical development of anti-viral
opportunities for other viruses beyond pandemic influenza.

"The Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Research and
Innovation is a key partner in the Greater Peterborough Innovation
Cluster at Trent University to develop anti-virals that will make the
world healthier and safer," said MPP Jeff Leal.

ICAV is a not-for-profit drug development company dedicated to
accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of novel anti-viral
therapies for neglected and emerging viral diseases through the
international collaboration of scientists, government and industry.
With the support of its partners, including the Greater Peterborough
Innovation Cluster, ICAV bridges the gap between academic research and commercial development. It achieves this by securing resources, funding proof-of-concept experiments, providing strategic intellectual property advice and tailoring development strategies for prospective anti-viral therapies. ICAV harvests promising drug candidates for clinical development from its international network of over 200 scientists from 24 countries, leveraging resources to accelerate commercialization and adding value for future licensees. ICAV's global headquarters are based at Trent University.

The Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster is a regional economic
development initiative focused on commercializing DNA and related life
sciences innovation, built on strategic alliances between private and
public sector participants.

One of Canada's top universities, Trent University is renowned for
striking a unique balance between outstanding teaching and leading-edge research. The University is consistently recognized nationally for
faculty who maintain a high level of innovative research activity and a
deep commitment to the individual student. Distinguished by excellence
in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and increasingly
popular professional and graduate programs, Trent is dedicated to
providing its students with an exceptional world view, producing
graduates who are ready to succeed and make a difference in the world.

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MEDIA CONFERENCE INVITATION
Media are invited to participate in the Sixth Symposium of the
International Consortium on Anti-Virals
When:
Mon. May 5 at 11:00 a.m.
Where:
Room 117, Peter Gzowski College, Trent University

For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Officer, Trent University
(705) 748-1011, ext. 6185
brittanycadence@trentu.ca