Patent for Imaging Diseased Tissue Awarded to Provectus Pharmaceuticals.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2002

Provectus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCBB:PVCT) today announced that it has received U.S. patent No. 6,493,570 governing use of a group of related compounds as imaging agents to identify and treat diseased tissue.

Provectus patented compounds are unique because they are specific to the cellular membranes of diseased tissue only. Therefore, the compounds may be used to treat diseases from cancer to psoriasis without any harm to normal tissues. The drugs are halogenated xanthenes, a family of highly colored organic compounds used as food coloring and in cosmetics. They have a long history of safe use in humans.

The drugs are useful both for treating and locating diseased tissue, according to Provectus CEO Craig Dees, Ph.D.

"Provectus compounds may prove useful in the treatment of cancers," Dees said. "Our ability to pinpoint the location of our radiosensitizing drugs allows for real-time imaging concurrent with treatment with ionizing radiation."

The compounds turn diseased tissue bright red to the naked eye. They are fluorescent when illuminated with green light, which can be used to evaluate diseased tissues on body surfaces. The compounds also absorb ionizing radiation, so drug delivery can be monitored using Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT scan).

In addition, they are useful as radiosensitizers, used to enhance the effects of radiation, which is covered by U.S. patent No. 6,331,286 and other filed patents.

Provectus Pharmaceuticals will be licensing and selling products in three sectors of the health-care industry: (1) prescription medications and treatment, (2) medical devices, and (3) over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals. Prescription drug products and devices will treat diseases of the skin and many types of cancer. OTC products will address complementary markets, primarily those involving skin care and comfort.

The company's offices and laboratory are located at 7327 Oak Ridge Highway, Suite A, Knoxville, Tenn., 37931; Telephone: [phone]. For more information, contact the company at [e-mail] or visit the corporate Web site: www.provectuscorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact made in this news release are forward-looking statements. Words such as "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, future events or performance and assumptions and other statements that are not statements of historical fact. Although Provectus Pharmaceuticals Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove correct. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the company. The company cautions readers that the following important factors, among others, could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this report: (i) the ability of the company to successfully develop prescription medications and treatments, medical devices, or OTC pharmaceuticals; (ii) the ability of the company to operate its business profitably; (iii) the ability of the company to obtain adequate financing to finance its operations and execute its business plan; (iv) the effect of changes in laws and regulations, including federal laws and regulations regulating prescription and non-prescription medications, pharmaceuticals and medical devices with which the company and its subsidiary must comply, and the associated costs of compliance with such laws and regulations either currently or in the future as applicable; (vi) the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies as well as by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or of changes in the company's organization, compensation and benefit plans; (vii) shifts in population and demographics, competition, cost fluctuations, technology advances and challenges; (viii) financial, operational and other business problems associated with the rapid development of the company's business; and (ix) general and industry-specific economic conditions. The company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. Except as required by law, the company has no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of future events or circumstances.