Composition Patent To Treat Viral Infections Issued And Assigned To Advanced Viral Research Corp.

Business Editors & Medical Writers

YONKERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2001

Advanced Viral Research Corp.(OTCBB:ADVR) today announced the award of U.S. Patent NO. 6303153 entitled "Preparation of a Therapeutic Composition."

This issued patent protects the preparation and composition of Product R, the non-toxic peptide-nucleic acid immunomodulator developed by Advanced Viral Research Corp.

Advanced Viral Research Corp. is pleased that its shareholders interests have been protected by the grant of this patent. Patents provide shielding for the Company's intellectual property and also facilitate introduction to potential marketing partners. The Company's scientific team, led by Dr. Shalom Z. Hirschman, President and CEO, defined the complex chemistry of Product R and described its effects on the immune system. The manufacturing process was developed by Dr. Bernard Friedland, Chairman of the Board. "This patent provides a foundation for the continued enhancement of the protective cover for the important intellectual property represented by Product R," stated Dr. Hirschman.

Product R is a non-toxic peptide nucleic acid-type immunomodulator that appears to stimulate the proinflammatory responses required to combat viral infections such as AIDS and human papilloma virus and to dampen aberrant autoimmune-type inflammatory responses, such as occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, Product R has been termed a "switch type" immunomodulator. Product R has direct antiviral effects against select viruses such as adenovirus and human papilloma virus. Product R has shown promise in its ability to mitigate the toxic side effects of other drugs, including those used to treat HIV infection and chemotherapeutic drugs employed in the treatment of cancers.

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.

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 ADVR. 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 ADVR will be able to secure the financing necessary to complete the clinical trials of Product R. ADVR 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.