Averion Signs Agreement with India CRO Apothecaries to Expand Core Oncology Competencies and Global Presence.

BOSTON -- Averion International Corp. (OTCBB:AVRO), a clinical research organization (CRO) specializing in oncology, medical devices, dermatology and nephrology, today announced that is has signed a non-exclusive agreement with Apothecaries Ltd. of New Delhi, India, a full-service CRO with a focus on oncology. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will jointly market and contract complementary services to biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

"This strategic alliance enhances our global capabilities as an established CRO in the oncology market segment as we gain Apothecaries' substantial experience in conducting well-run oncology clinical trials," said Philip Lavin, PhD, Averion Chief Executive Officer. "We believe the strategic alliance will bring mutual clinical research opportunities to each group."

"Averion and our Millennix Oncology specialty service brand will also obtain access to leading clinical sites in India with competent staffing and access to a significant patient population, further building on our strategy to expand our global oncology development programs," said Gene D. Resnick, MD, Averion Chief Medical Officer.

Apothecaries has conducted a multitude of early- and late-stage trials in indications including breast, head and neck, and cervical cancers. "We are pleased to partner our extensive capabilities in India with Averion and its solid reputation for offering clinical trials that are executed to the highest standard," said Brijesh Regal, M.Pharm, Apothecaries Chief Executive Officer. He added, "With 23 years of experience, Apothecaries has a large pharma and medical device client base that constitutes stable, repeat business. We offer an expert medical staff and conduct quality, cost effective clinical trials."

About Apothecaries Ltd.

Apothecaries Ltd. provides a host of clinical research services including site management, bioanalytical services, data management, pharmaceutical application software, drug regulatory services in India, and medical information and writing services. Apothecaries initiated clinical trials in 1993. The company offers on staff medical doctors, anesthesiologists and a panel of consultants including various therapeutic specialists. Apothecaries' oncology experience includes ongoing and past Phase I-IIIb studies in indications including head and neck cancer, breast cancer, cervical and persistent cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease and lung cancer.

With India's population of 1.1 billion, Apothecaries has access to a vast resource pool of study volunteers of a wide age range and ailments from various sections of the community; more than 150 medical college hospitals; and a large number of highly trained and English speaking medical, paramedical and data-management professionals. For more information, visit www.apothecaries.net.

About Averion International Corp.

Averion International Corp. is a full service clinical research organization (CRO) that provides clinical research, and regulatory compliance and validation services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device/diagnostic industries. The company has a therapeutic focus in oncology, dermatology, nephrology and medical devices. Averion clinical research core competencies are in FDA and product registration support, site selection, project management, medical and site monitoring, data management, biometrics, pharmacovigilance, medical writing, and full clinical trial management services throughout the clinical trials lifecycle. The company has supported 51 FDA approvals to date with no refusals among submissions accepted for filing; in addition, the company has helped achieve approvals for 12 oncology-related products, as well as multiple approvals in medical devices, cardiology and dermatology.

Averion provides oncology-specific clinical research services through its Millennix Oncology branded service line. (http://www.averionintl.com)

Averion IT&E International Division offers global regulatory compliance and validation services throughout the product development lifecycle. The company's team of industry veterans utilizes the latest tools and procedures to help its clients move quickly and effectively from drug development through the FDA approval process. Consulting services include regulatory planning, providing skilled personnel for development operations, enterprise software and training to manage data and ensure FDA compliance and validation of new pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. (http://www.iteinternational.com)

Averion is headquartered in Southborough, Mass. and has additional office locations in Rye Brook, N.Y San Diego and San Jose, Calif., and Neu Isenburg (Frankfurt), Germany.

Forward-Looking Statement 

Included in this release are "forward-looking statements." Statements in this press release that are forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The Company refers you to the cautionary statements and risk factors set forth in the documents it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent 10-KSB. The Company is not under any obligation (and expressly disclaims any obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.