Imutec Pharma Announces Allowance Of U.S Patent.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1998-- Imutec Pharma Inc.(NASDAQ:IMUTF) (TSE:IMT.) (ME:IMT.)

-- claims cover hundreds of NuChem's anti-proliferative

triaryl compounds --

Imutec Pharma Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, NuChem Pharmaceuticals Inc., has received notice that the major claims of U.S Patent Aplication No. 08/822,550 covering many of the Company's NuChem analogues, have been allowed. The claims cover the anti-proliferative effect of the triaryl compounds as well as a method for inhibiting mammalian cell proliferation in situ.

"We are very pleased with the strong intellectual property protection that these patent claims provide," said Philippe G. Lacaille, President and Chief Executive Officer at Imutec Pharma. "This allowance is significant not only because this will be NuChem Pharmaceutical's first patent received for these exciting compounds, but more importantly because these allowed claims contain the generic structure that covers hundreds of variants of NuChem's compounds."

NuChem's anti-proliferative triaryl compounds are analogs, or chemical derivatives of the well-known molecule clotrimazole. It has previously been shown and well-documented that clotrimazole has a novel dual mode of anti-cancer activity, exhibiting potent anti-proliferative properties (i.e. stopping cancer cells from dividing, thereby reducing tumor growth) both in cancer cell line studies and animal models, as well as anti-angiogenic activity (i.e. preventing blood vessel formation) in an animal model of angiogenesis. The five most promising NuChem analogs selected for preclinical development are potentially less toxic and have been shown to be more potent in their anti-proliferative effect than clotrimazole. The Company intends to assess these compounds for superior anti-angiogenic activity as well. Preclinical development of these compounds is currently being performed in collaboration with the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Harvard University Medical Centre, and University of Nebraska Medical Centre.

Imutec Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative products for the treatment of cancer. Through an active acquisition and in-licensing program, Imutec Pharma's goal is to build and clinically develop a portfolio of innovative drugs targeted at life-threatening diseases. Thereafter, Imutec Pharma intends to undertake late stage clinical development and marketing in cooperation with strategic pharmaceutical partners. Founded in 1986, Imutec Pharma Inc. is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Montreal Stock Exchange under the symbol IMT and on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol IMUTF.

Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's ongoing quarterly filings, annual reports and 20-F filings.

Imutec Pharma's press releases are available through the Company's Internet site: http://www.imutec.com