Health Protection Branch Approves Helix BioPharma's Levobunolol, Helix to Market and Distribute the Major Ophthalmic Pharmaceutical in Alliance with Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals.

RICHMOND, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 11, 1997-- Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSE, VSE:HBP.) Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSE/VSE:HBP) today announced that it has received a Notice of Compliance (NOC) and Drug Identification Number (DIN) from the Canadian Health Protection Branch for its generic ophthalmic beta-blocker, Levobunolol. Helix previously obtained the Canadian marketing and distribution rights to Levobunolol under the terms of its agreement with Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals, a world leader in the manufacture of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. The Company will now offer the product for sale in Canada under its Rivex Ophthalmics label.

Levobunolol is used to control intraocular pressure (the rate at which fluid flows into the eye) in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma or mild to moderate ocular hypertension. Glaucoma can cause vision loss and even blindness if left untreated, and the process leading to damaged vision is irreversible. Once glaucoma is diagnosed and treatment begins, most potential vision loss can be prevented.

The introduction of Levobunolol completes the Company's line of ophthalmic products, all of which will now be aggressively marketed to pharmacists and drug wholesalers across Canada. The Company's ophthalmic product line includes a comprehensive range of the most widely-prescribed ophthalmic pharmaceuticals available on the market today. The Company will continue to aggressively pursue its strategy of licensing and registering pharmaceuticals, with the intention of establishing Helix as a major player in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Donald Segal, Helix's Vice-President of Pharmaceuticals, said, "We are delighted to offer a product that has proven benefits to people suffering from a potentially debilitating condition." Dr. Segal continued, "The introduction of this product demonstrates our ability to foster strategic relationships and successfully bring pharmaceutical products to market."

Helix BioPharma Corp. is an emerging health-care company focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and other biomedical technologies. Headquartered in Richmond, B.C., the Company has offices across Canada and internationally in Ireland, and is publicly-traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Terrance G. Owen, Ph.D., M.B.A., President

The Toronto and Vancouver Stock Exchanges have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy of the content of the information contained herein.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There is an "at" symbol following "invrelations" and "bwgroup" in the e-mail address below. This symbol may not appear properly in some systems.

CONTACT: Helix BioPharma Corp.

Jason Van Bergen, 604/270-7468

604/270-8208 (FAX)

http://www.helixbio.com

e-mail: [e-mail]

or

Barr & Wilcox Group

Sarah Temple, 604/488-1100

604/488-1122 (FAX)

http://www.newshook.com

e-mail: [e-mail]