Vicus Therapeutics to Present at the 234th American Chemical Society National Meeting in Boston, MA

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Vicus Therapeutics, Inc., an oncology-focused, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Chief Executive Officer, John Maki, and Chief Scientific Officer, Frederic Young, Ph.D., will each present at the 234th American Chemical Society National Meeting on Sunday, August 19, 2007. The Meeting is being held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.

Dr. Young will present "Hypothesis-driven Drug Repurposing Based on a Novel Systems Biology Approach," including a discussion of Vicus' complexity theory-based drug repurposing approach in creating a pipeline of product candidates for the treatment of important unmet medical needs. The Company's approach can be applied to the discovery of product candidates for any indication, including cancer cachexia, a metabolic disorder, mucositis, a wound healing disorder, and cancer fatigue, a CNS disorder. The specific application of this method will be discussed in the context of the Company's lead compound, VT-122. Dr. Young's presentation is scheduled for 11:45 a.m.

Mr. Maki's presentation, entitled "Synergistic Advantages of Drug Repurposing and Clinical Trial Off-shoring in India", will include a discussion of the unique synergistic advantages of drug re-profiling and off- shoring, as well as an overview of the steps necessary to realize such advantages. Specifically, Mr. Maki will provide highlights from the Company's ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of VT-122 for cancer cachexia, now being conducted in the U.S. and India. In addition, he will review recent changes by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI, the Indian FDA-regulatory equivalent), Indian clinical research infrastructure, and the acceptance of Indian data by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that is currently driving the explosive growth of clinical research in India. Mr. Maki's presentation is scheduled for 4:25 p.m.

About Cancer Cachexia and VT-122

Cancer cachexia results in severe wasting of muscle and connective tissue and is one of the most common debilitating and distressing conditions of advanced cancer. Severe cachexia is associated with extreme weakness, intolerance to chemotherapy and substantially reduced life expectancy. There is currently no FDA-approved therapy for cancer cachexia.

VT-122 targets inflammatory and other key pathways thought to be responsible for the onset and observed clinical symptoms of cancer cachexia. The use of VT-122 is currently being evaluated under a U.S. IND in a Phase 2 study being conducted concurrently at multiple sites in the U.S. and India. Results from the ongoing trial are expected by end of 2007.

About Vicus Therapeutics

Vicus Therapeutics is a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of pharmaceutical product candidates for the treatment of cancer supportive care indications with an initial focus on cachexia. Vicus' strategy involves combining individual generic drugs that have previously received regulatory approval for other indications and thus have established post-marketing safety records. Vicus leverages its proprietary science to design and patent novel drug combinations that work together to reverse the body's maladaptive responses to cancer and its treatment. Vicus' lead combination product candidate, VT-122, is in Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of cancer cachexia in patients with advanced lung cancer. Additionally, Vicus has preclinical-stage combination product candidates being evaluated for the treatment of oral mucositis and cancer fatigue. Vicus' development programs are powered by its network of leading clinical investigators and partners in the US, India and Japan. This international network drives the high quality, rapid and cost effective clinical development of Vicus' product candidates. For additional information, go to the Company's website: www.vicustherapeutics.com.

Vicus Therapeutics

CONTACT: Investors, John Maki, President and CEO, of Vicus Therapeutics,LLC, +1-973-285-3175; or Media, Melody Carey, of Rx Communications Group,LLC, +1-917-322-2571, for Vicus Therapeutics

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