Samaritan Pharma To Collaborate With Pharmaplaz To Develop And Commercialize Oral HIV Entry Inhibitor

Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMEX:LIV), a developer of innovative drugs, and Pharmaplaz, Ltd., a private Irish healthcare company, announced today they have a collaboration to develop and commercialize SP-01A, an “oral” HIV entry inhibitor that has demonstrated safety and efficacy in Phase II human clinical trials.

Under the terms of the agreement, Samaritan is to receive $10 million upfront in two tranches. The first funding of $1.4 million was received by Samaritan, and a remaining $8.6 million is payable on September 16, 2007. Pharmaplaz will be responsible for clinical development, clinical trial costs and manufacturing. Upon successful commercialization, Samaritan and Pharmaplaz will co-market SP-01A and will share 50-50 in its revenue royalty stream.

Samaritan, in looking at costly Phase III clinical trials, decided to partner its lead HIV drug SP-01A to allow Samaritan’s resources to be allocated to the development of numerous late-stage preclinical programs, with the objective of achieving FDA investigational new drug (IND) status for several drugs.

Samaritan intends to focus its efforts on developing and commercializing its promising blockbuster drugs in order to maximize valuations with potential partnering deals. Samaritan’s current plans include moving its Alzheimer’s drug SP-233 forward so it can advance its IND application to commence a Phase I clinical trial; and to move ahead with late-stage preclinical trials for its acute-care cardiovascular disease drug, SP-1000 and its “oral” Hepatitis C drug, SP-10.

Dr. Greeson, CEO of Samaritan Pharmaceuticals stated, “Samaritan and Pharmaplaz have had a working relationship for five years now. They have a proven track record in pharmaceutical research, drug development, regulatory affairs, and clinical trial manufacturing. Through the years, we have grown to respect and trust them. We believe this is going to be an excellent partnering relationship and anticipate doing great things together to make SP-01A a viable affordable drug for suffering HIV patients.”

Michael J. Macken, CEO of Pharmaplaz Ltd., commented, “Ireland has a huge commitment to the global fight against HIV. Ireland is also a major supporter of former President Bill Clinton’s work to fight HIV. Our Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern, while visiting our facility in Ireland, heard about our relationship with Samaritan and the development of SP-01A and commented, he hoped an Irish company would be part of finding a real and affordable cure for HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. At Pharmaplaz, we believe this agreement lays the foundation for that.”