Advanced Viral Research Corp. Initiates a Phase II, Multi-Center Clinical Trial in the U.S. for AVR118.

YONKERS, N.Y. -- Advanced Viral Research Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: ADVR) announced today that it has initiated a Phase II, multi-center clinical trial in the U.S. for AVR118. The study will examine the safety, tolerability and efficacy of AVR118 in patients with advanced cancer who are suffering from symptoms of progressive disease. Advanced Viral Research Corp. is collaborating with The Biomedical Research Alliance of New York (BRANY) for this Phase II trial and is currently actively recruiting patients. E[acute accent]"The initiation of this trial is a landmark event for the Company. We will work to complete accrual rapidly in order to move AVR118 to the next drug-development phase," said Dr. Elma S. Hawkins, President and CEO of Advanced Viral Research Corp. E[acute accent]The Phase II, multi-center, randomized, double blind study is designed to evaluate the effect of a 4.0 ml dose of AVR118 administered to patients with systemic symptoms related to advanced cancers who are not candidates for, or who do not wish to receive, chemotherapy. Patients will be on the drug for three weeks in order to compare treatment versus no treatment, after which the results of the study will be analyzed. Those who did not receive AVR118 during the first three weeks will be permitted to take the drug for three weeks. Patients who appear to benefit from treatment may be eligible to remain on AVR118, generating longer term safety data. E[acute accent]Approximately 40 adult patients with advanced cancer are expected to be entered into the study. Eligible patients will be between the ages of 18 and 80, will have a Karnofsky performance score between 40 and 80, and a life expectancy of more than four months. E[acute accent]The BRANY network was founded in 1998 by five New York City area institutions, including: Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, and Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers. The BRANY network is an alliance of academic medical centers designed to conduct high quality trials for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in the most rapid, efficient and cost-effective manner. The network now has over 138 affiliates. E[acute accent]ADVR's AVR118 represents a biopolymer that possesses novel immunomodulator activity. This peptide-nucleic acid complex, which to date has demonstrated a very favorable safety profile, appears to stimulate the proinflammatory responses required to combat viral infections such as AIDS and human papillomavirus, and to dampen aberrant autoimmune-type inflammatory responses, such as those which occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. E[acute accent]Advanced Viral Research Corp., based in Yonkers, New York, is a biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to improving patients' lives by researching, developing and bringing to market new and effective therapies for viral and other diseases. For further information regarding Advanced Viral Research Corp., please visit our website at www.adviral.com.

E[acute accent]Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks associated with clinical development, regulatory approvals, including application to the FDA, product commercialization and other risks described from time to time in the SEC reports filed by the Company. AVR118 (Product R) is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any comparable agencies of any other countries. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to secure the financing necessary to continue and/or complete the clinical trials of AVR118 or satisfy certain other conditions relating to clinical trials including obtaining adequate insurance on terms acceptable to the Company or that if completed, clinical trials performed outside the United States will assist the Company in obtaining FDA or other regulatory approval. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.