EXTON, Pa., Sept. 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- ViroPharma Incorporated (Nasdaq:VPHM) announced today that the company will provide an audio webcast of its 'Teach-in' for investors on Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). This disease ranges in severity from asymptomatic colonization to severe diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon, colonic perforation and occasionally death. ViroPharma's product Vancocin(r) is indicated for oral administration for treatment of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis caused by C. difficile.
The 'Teach-in' will be held at 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time on September 19, 2005. During the event, key opinion leaders will provide an introduction to C. difficile disease, an overview of the disease burden, a discussion of the growing patient population, and details on the emerging more virulent strain of C. difficile. In addition, they will provide a clinical perspective on the institutional challenge of managing patients with severe CDAD.
A live audio webcast of the meeting may be accessed via the investor relations section of the ViroPharma corporate website, www.viropharma.com. Windows Media or Real Player will be needed to access the live webcast and archive of the audio presentation. The archive of the meeting will be available until October 20, 2005.
C. difficile is a bacterium, which under certain circumstances, typically after antibiotic therapy, can colonize the lower gastrointestinal tract where it may produce toxins which cause inflammation of the colon and diarrhea, and the associated complications of disease. Advanced age, gastrointestinal surgery/manipulation, long length of stay in healthcare settings, a serious underlying illness and immunocompromising conditions are associated with increased risk of disease. There are approximately 3,000,000 cases of antibiotic associated diarrhea per year, of which 15 to 25 percent are caused by C. difficile, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About ViroPharma Incorporated
ViroPharma Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of products that address serious diseases treated by physician specialists and in hospital settings. ViroPharma commercializes Vancocin(r), approved for oral administration for treatment of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile and enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (for prescribing information, please download the package insert at http://www.viropharma.com/docs/pulvules_pi.pdf). ViroPharma currently focuses its drug development activities in viral diseases including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and hepatitis C (HCV). For more information on ViroPharma, visit the company's website at www.viropharma.com.
Certain statements made during this upcoming presentation may contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those relating to continued increase in C. difficile disease incidence and severity. Our actual results could differ materially from those results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. The commercialization of pharmaceutical products is subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that there will be no decreases in the rate of infections for which Vancocin is prescribed or changes in the prescribing or procedural practices of infectious disease, gastroenterologists and internal medicine doctors. These factors, and other factors, including, but not limited to those described in ViroPharma's quarterly report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause future results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release may become outdated over time. ViroPharma does not assume any responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements.