Medivir licenses Respiratory Syncytial Virus drug program from Boehringer Ingelheim

Stockholm, Sweden — Medivir AB (OMX: MVIR) today announces that it has entered a
license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH for exclusive,
global rights to a drug program for the treatment and prevention of Respiratory
Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection.

“RSV is respiratory pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections,
especially in children, the elderly and the immunocompromised. It is a major,
underserved disease area today, with no effective treatment available” said
Maris Hartmanis, Medivir’s CEO. “The in-licensing of this program illustrates
Medivir’s strategic intent to enhance its R&D pipeline with high-value,
commercial opportunities.”

The program includes novel compounds that inhibit the RSV fusion protein, which
is a key mediator of viral entry into host cells and a target for new medicines.
“We are very pleased to have secured this program from Boehringer Ingelheim and
to have the opportunity to build upon the impressive research already conducted”
said Richard Bethell Medivir’s EVP, Discovery Research. “We can now look forward
to advancing potential new drugs for the benefit of vulnerable patients.”

Under the terms of the agreement Medivir receives an exclusive, global license
to research, develop, manufacture and commercialise RSV drugs resulting from
Boehringer Ingelheim’s program. Boehringer Ingelheim receives an upfront payment
and future success milestones as well as royalties on sales.

For more information please contact:
Rein Piir, EVP Corporate Affairs & IR, mobile: +46 708 537 292

About RSV
Human respiratory syncytial virus is the main viral cause of respiratory tract
infection in infants, the elderly and the severely immunocompromised. Almost all
children will have been infected with RSV by the time of their second birthday.
It has been estimated that RSV resulted in around 33.8 million lower respiratory
tract infections in children younger than 5 years in 2005, with 3.4 million
requiring hospitalization and between 66,000 and 199,000 child deaths (Nair et
al. 2010). Today only one drug is approved for therapeutic use – ribavirin – but
its use is limited by a complex administration procedure, limited efficacy, high
cost and toxic side effects. A humanised monoclonal antibody is available for
prophylatic use, but it is approved only for prevention of RSV infection in
infants that are at very high risk of serious lower respiratory tract disease
following infection by RSV. Patients urgently need new, safe and effective drug
options for the treatment and prevention of RSV infection.

About Medivir
Medivir is an emerging and profitable research-based pharmaceutical company with
an established marketing and sales organisation in the Nordics with a broad
portfolio of prescription pharmaceuticals. Medivir receives royalty from Johnson
& Johnson global sales of the hepatitis C pharmaceutical Olysio. In addition,
revenues for sales of Olysio in the Nordic region is generated through the
companies own sales and marketing organisation. Medivir’s research and
development portfolio of pharmaceuticals is based on the company’s expertise in
polymerase and protease drug targets for different disease areas. The company’s
current research and development is focused on infectious diseases, bone related
disorders, neuropathic pain and oncology. Medivir is listed on the Nasdaq OMX
Mid-Cap list.